At a recent meeting of the Isle of Man Queen Scallop Management Board, concerns were raised regarding the volume of Queenies being caught each season in relation to scientific assessments of the total available stock, and as a result, a number of measures were agreed to better manage the Queenie fishery. 
 
The measures include:
• A limited Total Allowable Catch for the 2013 season
• Rigorous monitoring of catches both  inside and outside the Manx territorial sea
• Closure of the territorial sea to all dredging activity with the exception of a small area off Port St Mary
• A later start time for dredging in the restricted area – now 1st October
• A further assessment of the situation by the Board in early August
 
Recent data provided by Bangor University scientists suggests that the volume of Queen Scallops within the Territorial Sea is declining.  A precautionary approach is therefore urgently needed to ensure that the stock is not overfished but is managed to provide a sustainable fishery for the future.
 
Working alongside Bangor University scientists, DEFA Fisheries officers will provide a range of reports so that the amount of Queenies landed can be checked against the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for this fishery.  If the results indicate that the TAC is likely to be exhausted too early in the season, the Queenie Management Board may take further measures, including closing the fishery early as happened in 2012.

DEFA Minister, Phil Gawne MHK said: “I welcome the measures agreed by the Queenie Management Board and very much hope that these will help to avoid the need to close the fishery early.  A “boom and bust” approach is not in the interests of anyone and I remain totally committed to achieving a properly managed Queenie fishery across the Irish Sea.”

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