Tag Archives: DEFA

Size of fishing fleet cut as Isle of Man king scallop season opens

Fewer boats will take to Manx waters for the start of the Isle of Man king scallop season as part of efforts to protect the fishery’s future. Sixty vessels have been authorised to fish by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), which is down from 75 last year. The cut in the fleet’s size is part of a plan to make the fishery sustainable. DEFA member Michelle Haywood said boat numbers had to be limited or there would “not be enough to go round”. The king scallop fishery, which runs each year from November to May, has opened with an allowable catch of 2,049 tonnes, mirroring the previous season’s total. >click to read< 07:10

Scallop boat skipper and owner fined for breaching Isle of Man fisher regulations

A Kirkcudbright scallop boat skipper and its owner have been fined for breaching Isle of Man fishery regulations. Anthony True was caught fishing for king scallops in the 21-metre Kingfisher within three nautical miles of the island without a permit. Manx rules only allow vessels of 15 metres or less to fish for scallops inside the three-mile limit. Mr True and owner John King, of West Coast Sea Products Ltd, pleaded guilty when they appeared before the Deputy High Bailiff in Douglas. >click to read<19:39

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