Isle of Man: King scallop licences cut to conserve the stock

king scallopMeasures are being introduced to ensure the sustainability of the island’s king scallop fishery. From the start of the 2016/17 season on November 1, the number of licences issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) to fish for king scallops within the island’s seas will be reduced. Eligibility will be determined by vessels’ track record of fishing for king scallops over the last few seasons, with vessels’ size taken into account. Explaining the need for the measure, Richard Lole, chief executive officer of DEFA, said: ‘In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of vessels fishing for king scallops in Manx waters and a corresponding increase in the catch. ‘In 2015/16, 4,500 tonnes of king scallops were landed in the island, worth £4 million at the quayside. ‘At the same time, indications are that stock is under increasing pressure, prompting concerns over the sustainability of this valuable fishery. ‘The new measures will protect those vessels that can demonstrate a historic interest and dependence on the fishery while safeguarding the fishery in the long term.’ At the same time, the first stages of a new inshore marine zoning plan will also be introduced by DEFA. Read the story here 08:51

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