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 April 1 to June 30, 2024.

The closure is designed to offer protection for queen scallops during part of their spawning season and support future growth in the population. Further information on the scientific evidence collected on queen scallops is available here: AFBI report and Bangor University report.

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 maximized without impacting stock sustainability.

What happens next?

The closure will be enacted by variation within the appropriate fishing vessel licenses. These will be completed by the following:

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