There is welcome news for the Manx scallop fleet this morning (Friday).

Boats have been given the go ahead to get out into the Irish Sea and fish, following talks between the Manx and United Kingdom governments.

Many fishermen had been forced to stay tied up in port, by European Union regulations designed to conserve scallop stocks, when the season started on Tuesday.

The rules, placing a 15 metre limit on the length of vessels, were designed to prevent large Spanish and Portugese vessels damaging stocks in wester waters.

On Mandate today, Fisheries Minister Phil Gawne said he was pleased the ban had been lifted, from midnight last night.

But he is frustrated the situation was able to arise: