Two scallop fishing areas off the west coast of the Island have now been opened for the new king scallop season.
The west was shut for the start of the season on November 1, because of higher than normal levels of domoic acid, a substance which arises naturally from a species of phytoplankton that occurs in the Irish Sea and occasionally ‘blooms’ causing high concentrations.
DEFA says levels of the substance have fallen to satisfactory levels within two of the areas, Bradda (IS14) and Chickens (IS21), and fishing reopened just after midnight.
The remaining area off Peel (IS9) remains closed for the time being and sampling of this area will continue on a regular basis.
Fishing off the east coast was unaffected and started on schedule on November 1.
The season runs until May 31.