A Science Steering Group is to be set up to ensure closer collaboration between the Isle of Man Government and industry over the management of fish stocks within Manx territorial waters.
Membership has yet to be finalised but it will include representatives of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), the potting industry, scallop fishermen and the Manx Fish Producers’ Organisation (MFPO).
DEFA closed the Island’s queen scallop fishery at midnight last night as the total allowable catch of 1,000 tonnes has been landed.
The seasonal fishery opened in July with a lower than normal permitted catch set for fishermen amid concern over depleted stock levels and the number of young scallops.
The concern was highlighted in the annual stock survey carried out by Bangor University, which acts as a scientific advisor to DEFA, and subsequent surveys conducted by the MFPO and local fishermen in advance of the fishery opening.
Some high-density queenie beds remained closed to fishermen to facilitate breeding and rapid stock recovery, while restrictions were placed on when others could be fished. Fishing crews were asked to complete daily catch returns and carry GPS loggers to allow a continual assessment of the fishery.
In 2013 the fishery closed, upon the total allowable catch of 4,000 tonnes being reached, on 9 October.
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, praised fishermen and the Isle of Man Queen Scallop Management Board for acting responsibly and assisting his Department to find a difficult compromise that would allow queenie stocks to recover faster, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry yet still allowing some catch to meet the industry’s and consumers’ needs.
The management board advises DEFA and comprises scientists and representatives of the catching and processing sectors from the Isle of Man, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Fishing crews traditionally tie up in October to prepare vessels for the start of the king scallop season on 1 November. That species is caught using dredges, not nets.
The Department is consulting the industry with a view to keeping certain areas closed during the king scallop season to ensure queen scallop stock that has been protected all summer to allow faster recovery is not now damaged by king scallop dredging activity.
Further survey work to assess queen scallop stocks is planned for spring 2015 and the new steering group will have a key role in determining the best means of collecting meaningful data that will assist the Department in securing sustainable fisheries in Manx waters.
Minister Ronan said:
‘The Isle of Man is the only place carrying out stock surveys for this species and, year on year, we are learning more about the science behind stock levels and recovery, which will enable us to make more informed decisions.’
Fishermen can obtain up to date notifications about fisheries via www.gov.im/fishing/conditions
