THE Isle of Man Queenie Management Board will close the fishery to its members with effect from tomorrow (New Year's Day).

Chairman Peter Winterbottom said: "The 2010 Isle of Man queenie season has been wonderful.

"Catch rates, and quality, have been exceptionally high all season. However, members of the board have requested a closure of the fishery, whilst catch rates remain high, in order to ensure that 2011 is remembered as an equally successful year.

"'Boom and bust' is not in the interest of consumer, fisherman or processor, and the fishermen and processors on the board are keen to put in place measures that will prevent this being a risk."

Scottish processor and vessel owner John King, based in Kirkudbright, added: "It is in all our interests to ensure that we have a stable, successful and secure fishery.

"We can build on the success of the fishery this year, and hope that a by-law closing the fishery temporarily can be put in place as soon as is practicable.

"In the meantime, the processors represented on the board have agreed to accept no more queenies landed as part of any directed fishery from Isle of Man waters, with immediate effect."

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister John Shimmin MHK said: "I welcome this move by fishermen and processors with a stake in the Isle of Man Queenie Fishery.

"The far sighted approach being taken by the board members vindicates entirely my wish to give greater responsibility for management of the industry to its stakeholders, and flies in the face of those who would criticise the industry as being short-sighted and irresponsible.

"I will certainly do my best to ensure that I meet this request from the industry, and introduce appropriate legislation to close the fishery.

"This move should give the growing and enthusiastic customer base for Isle of Man queenies the confidence to plan for the future based on consistently high quality landings from a sustainable fishery."