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Manx Gov U Turn after Scottish Revolt over Fishing Rules

Sat, 27 Jan 2018

The Manx Government has made an embarrassing U-turn over proposed rules on fishing in Manx waters.

More changes to how fishing vessels report king scallop catches are coming in from Monday.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has announced it's scrapping the requirement for vessels to report to a Manx port for catch inspection - a measure which was brought in earlier this month. It comes after the Scottish Government threatened action under dispute resolution procedures.

Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, held talks with the Island's Chief Minister Howard Quayle and said that Scotland would oppose the new rules.

DEFA had brought in measures forcing vessels to report their catches at a Manx Port - a move the Scottish Government said was too onerous.

Fisheries Officials are warning that any skipper or vessel owner who is found to underreport their catch, will have their licences suspended.

Minister Geoffrey Boot hopes skippers will take their obligation to accurately record their catch more seriously knowing they could lose access to Manx waters.

DEFA will also consider suspending licences for other breaches of regulations.

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