Fishermen are describing the velvet fishing season as a disaster with little or no catches being returned for fishing effort. This is the second season in which catches have been down. The knee-jerk reaction is that the stocks have been over-fished, however it may not be as simple as that. Some fishermen say that this is concurrent with a 'seven year cycle' in which fishing peaks, disappears then returns. Some areas are heavily fished, but even in areas where fishing is less intense fewer velvets are being caught in common with the overall pattern. One view is that the last two uncharacteristically cold winters in which temperatures plummeted to record lows, parts of the sea were frozen and on land the freeze up lasted into months, has affected the velvets. Orkney waters are normally relatively benign temperature-wise. Divers have not sighted any on the ground until this very recent warm spell when some were seen albeit few but large in size. Some fishermen have reported that the animals are much less likely to crawl far from their homes in cold temperatures to forage for food, but will respond to warmer weather when they seem to get moving again. Much like humans it seems they may want to stay well inside in the cold weather and at the glmpse of a bit of sun get out and about again.

Whatever the reasons for the reticence of the velvets, its something we need to know more about, whether the cold induces a type of moribund hibernation and exactly the kind of exploitation they can stand and remain viable. OFA would be interested to hear more about the behaviour of velvets. If you have information or theories please get in touch and let us know.