Scallop fishing licences cut in half

Fri, 04 Nov 2016

A King scallop (picture from Island Shellfish)

The Island's fishing authorities are cutting the number of vessels allowed to fish for king scallops by almost half.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture announced plans to reduce licences in Manx waters last month in order to maintain stocks.

The new scallop season began on November 1st, with the number of vessels permitted to fish in the 0-3 mile region cut by 59% from 89 to 37.

Those allowed to fish further from the shore have also been slashed by 44% from 156 to 88.

A number of no fishing zones have also been introduced to help breeding, while a curfew is in place between 6pm and 6am.

Almost 300 tonnes of king scallops were landed to the Isle of Man over the last year, more than twice as many as in the previous 12 months.