With the rapid development of scallop farming in China, the country has become an important global producer of scallops. However, China's scallop fishing technology is relatively backward, presenting issues such as low efficiency, a high amount of broken scallops, and ecological damage to the seabed. Therefore, developing environmentally friendly fishing techniques and equipment is crucial for promoting the construction of scallop aquaculture-type marine pastures. This research reviews the main scallop fishing techniques and equipment both domestically and internationally, including sweeping, digging, anti-misoperation, hydrodynamic, and suction fishing methods, along with supporting mechanized shellfish unloading devices. Through comparative analysis, it evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies in terms of basic research, fishing efficiency, structural design, and ecological impact, as well as their practical application effects. Sweeping fishing is suitable for large-scale and rapid harvesting but causes significant ecological disturbance to the seabed and is prone to mistakenly capturing non-target species. Digging fishing is appropriate for collecting scallops on hard substrates, reducing environmental damage, though its efficiency is relatively low. Anti-misoperation fishing reduces the bycatch rate of non-target species, protecting marine biodiversity, but it comes with higher costs. Hydrodynamic fishing utilizes water flow to guide scallops into nets, minimizing seabed ecological impact, yet it requires precise control of water flow parameters. Suction fishing is suitable for shallow sandy substrates with minimal ecological impact but remains in the experimental stage. This article summarizes the problems in China’s scallop fishing technology and proposes future development directions. It advocates for in-depth exploration of the impact mechanisms of fishing on underwater ecosystems to provide theoretical support for reducing ecological impacts. Developing new materials and technologies to optimize existing net designs, such as using biodegradable materials and smart fibers, can reduce resource consumption and pollution. Integrating machine vision, texture simulation, and multi-sensor data fusion can achieve real-time monitoring and intelligent decision-making, improving fishing efficiency and ensuring operational safety. Through technological innovation and upgrading, the goal is to achieve coordinated development between fishery production and environmental protection, thereby promoting the healthy and sustainable development of China’s scallop industry. This research not only provides valuable reference for relevant researchers and enterprises but also offers scientific basis for policymakers to jointly advance the modernization of scallop aquaculture-type marine pastures.
