The number of boats fishing in the Isle of Man’s scallop fishery has expanded significantly in recent years, to a level which the Department believes is unsustainable.

The Department is aware that the industry shared our concerns and therefore we have worked with the local and other jurisdiction’s fishermen over the last six months to introduce new controls.

Following a consultation which received strong support for tighter management, the Department announced new measures on the 10 October 2016, which significantly reduces the number of boats and the areas where they can fish, in order to improve the sustainability of the stock.

The new measures reduce the number of vessels eligible to fish in the 3-12 miles region by 44%, from 156 to 88. They also further reduce the number of those vessels eligible to fish in the 0-3 miles region by 59%, from 89 to 37. As a comparison, in 2010/11 a total of 174 vessels were licenced and so it is re-assuring to note that only 62 vessels were fishing on the first day of the season.

These boat number reductions have been accompanied by the introduction of substantial new no fish zones to improve conservation and improve the breeding prospects of the marine life within the 0-3nm.

A curfew is in place to prevent fishing between 6pm and 6am, and the Department monitors this carefully.

Boat owners are reminded of the recent prosecutions undertaken where boats have been caught breaching Management Controls and the Department continues to take enforcement very seriously.

The Department is hopeful that these significant measures will improve the situation, however, we are monitoring the situation carefully to assess the sustainability of catch levels and will consider introducing further measures imminently if necessary.