Torbay MCZ Bait Digging and Hand-gathering Report

Surveys were undertaken in 2016-2017 and were semi-stratified in order to obtain an even coverage of spring and neap tides, weekdays and weekends. Surveys were planned to fall around low tide starting one hour before and finishing one hour after low tide. Details of weather conditions, time, tidal state, number of bait diggers/hand gatherers present, number of holes/trenches and GIS co-ordinates of the area dug were recorded. Interviews were also conducted to provide additional information on bait digging/hand gathering behaviour, effort and perceptions.