ICES divisions 6a and 7a queen scallop fishery closure
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) alongside UK Fishing Administrations (UKFAs) and the Isle of Man Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) are closing ICES divisions 6a and 7a (see map below) to the queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis) fishery from 1 April – 30 June 2024.
The closure is designed to offer protection for queen scallops during part of their spawning season and support future growth in the population.
The closure will apply to all EU, Isle of Man and UK vessels.
The UKFAs and DEFA are committed to ensuring fisheries are managed to a level where stocks are healthy and fished sustainably; the marine environment is protected; and economic return for fishers is maximised without impacting stock sustainability.
What happens next?
The closure will be enacted by variation within the appropriate fishing vessel licences. These will be completed by the following: MMO, Marine Scotland, The Welsh Government, Northern Ireland department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Isle of Man (IOM) and Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. A separate licence is required to fish for queen scallops for all nationalities fishing in IOM waters.