The Isle of Man king scallop season is due to start tomorrow, but it won't be doing off the west coast of the Island for now.
DEFA's regular pre-season tests have shown there to be higher than normal levels of domoic acid, which happens from time to time, according to the department.
Domoic acid arises naturally from plankton the scallops feed on, which occasionally ‘blooms’, causing high concentrations, as happened this summer.
The maximum levels of domoic acid permitted in king scallops entering the food chain are set out in EU legislation.
DEFA says agreement has been reached with the fishing industry to start the season late off the west coast as a precautionary measure.
Levels diminish naturally and will drop as the scallops metabolise the domoic acid.
The department’s vessel Barrule will continue to gather samples of king scallops from the west coast and test them.
Levels of domoic acid off the east coast are perfectly normal and fishing for king scallops will start there tomorrow, as scheduled.
There's no need to be worried about king scallops on sale, says DEFA, as its monitoring systems are to ensure fish entering the food chain is of the highest quality.