The Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture (DEFA) has published the results of its consultation on management measures for the Isle of Man Queen Scallop fishery in 2014. Whilst many of the measures introduced last year have been retained, fishermen this year will be required to have a Queen Scallop licence as part of their Isle of Man consolidated licence for fishing in the Territorial Sea.
A summary of the results can be downloaded from www.gov.im/commercialfishing
The use of a licence will enable the Department to quickly implement management measures such as setting catch limits, gear restrictions and closures. There will be no charge for the Queen Scallop licence this year and the Department will contact all fishing licence holders to ask if they wish to have their licence amended to include fishing for Queen Scallops.
Measures which have been retained include: a minimum landing size for Queen Scallops of 55mm; a minimum mesh size of 85mm; a weekend ban on fishing; a curfew from 1800hours to 0600hours, Monday to Friday; a defined zone in which Queen Scallops can be fished for using dredges; an engine power of less than or equal to 221 KW and a permitted Queen Scallop bycatch of 20% when fishing for King Scallops. A Total Allowable Catch will be set by the Department based on scientific advice from Bangor University and discussions with the Isle of Man Queen Scallop Management Board (QMB).
DEFA Minister, Phil Gawne MHK said:
'I would like to thank the industry for responding to this consultation and providing insights which the Department, together with the QMB, have considered and reflected in the new Regulation which will come into effect before the start of the 2014 Queen Scallop fishing season. We remain committed to ensuring that this is a sustainably managed fishery which is also profitable for the fishermen involved and I believe that the new Regulation will be a valuable tool in helping to ensure that we achieve this aim.'
