RULES which aim to protect the Isle of Man's queenie fishery come into force a week tomorrow (August 7).
A by-law has been signed this week by Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister John Shimmin MHK.
It introduces a raft of measures designed to protect not only queenie stocks - and the jobs these support - but the wider marine environment.
Mr Shimmin MHK said: "The Isle of Man queen scallop fishery is of increasing importance to our seafood industry and the wider Manx economy.
"However, until now, the stock has had very little protection and was potentially at risk of overfishing.
"This bye-law, introduced after widespread consultation, will introduce a seasonal closure in the fishery, close more than half the territorial sea to queen scallop dredging and allow the department to shut the fishery if the stock is deemed to be at risk.
"The bye-law should give the Manx seafood sector confidence in the long term future of their industry. Isle of Man queen scallops have a growing international reputation that can now be built upon.
"The resource is finite and rather than concentrate on simply catching more it is now for the industry, in partnership with the department, to look at ways of maximising both the quality and the value of the catches taken in Manx waters.
"I am confident that this bye-law is a positive step towards guaranteeing a prosperous and sustainable future for fishermen and processors alike."
