THE Isle of Man’s queen scallops fishing industry was officially honoured in London yesterday when the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) awarded a coveted MSC certificate as a sustainable and well-managed fishery.
The certificate was presented at an industry dinner in Fishmongers’ Hall in central London and follows a 21-month assessment of Isle of Man-registered day boats using otter trawls instead of the traditional dredges.
Presenting the certificate, Claire Pescod, UK Fisheries Outreach Manager for the MSC, congratulated the Isle of Man fishermen on their certification.
“The certificate include a number of conditions on the fishery which will build on the good work already carried out in the run up to, and during the assessment by the fishermen, Isle of Man government and processors. I am looking forward to continuing to celebrate MSC certified queenies on the Isle of Man at the Queenie Festival. ”
Queen scallops are prized by more and more restaurants and a number of celebrity chefs are now using them in their cooking.
John Shimmin MHK, Minister for the Isle of Man Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture said, “MSC accreditation of the Isle of Man queenie fishery has only been possible as a result of the close working partnership between government, fishermen and processors.
“All three parties have worked hard over the last few years to improve the sustainability and quality of Isle of Man Queenies, which discerning consumers can now purchase with confidence.
“I hope in the coming months that we will be able to extend this partnership, and in time that the whole of the Irish Sea queenie stocks will be able to benefit from measures similar to those introduced in Manx waters. ”
Billy Caley, ex-skipper and owner of Isle of Man Seafood Ltd, added, “Fishermen and processors here on the Isle of Man have worked closely together to ensure that only the best quality queenies are landed, with the remainder of the stock being protected for the future.
“This award is recognition of this hard work and we look forward to supplying the first MSC certified queenies when the season re-opens on June 1st. “
