The Isle of Man king scallop fishing season is due to commence on 1 November.
As is standard practice in advance of the season opening, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture collected samples of king scallops from Manx territorial waters.
Samples collected off the west coast of the Island were found to contain higher than normal levels of domoic acid – a situation that occurs from time to time.
Domoic acid arises naturally from a species of phytoplankton that occurs in the Irish Sea and occasionally 'blooms' causing high concentrations, as happened this summer. King scallops feed on this plankton.
The maximum levels of domoic acid permitted in king scallops entering the food chain are prescribed in EU legislation.
It has therefore been agreed with the industry that as a precautionary measure there will be a delayed start to the king scallop fishing season off the west coast of the Island.
Levels diminish naturally and will drop as the scallops metabolise the domoic acid.
It is a priority of the Department to reopen the fishery and the crew of the Department's vessel Barrule will continue to gather samples of king scallops from the west coast. These will be tested by the Government Analyst and as soon as it is clear the acid has reduced to an appropriate level, this will occur.
The Department is keeping the industry fully updated and thanks it for its co-operation.
Although commercial fishermen are aware of the temporary restriction, any individual divers who gather king scallops in small numbers for their own consumption, or resale, should be aware of it too.
Levels of domoic acid off the east coast are perfectly normal and fishing for king scallops will commence there as scheduled on Saturday.
Consumers need have no concerns whatsoever about king scallops on sale, as the Department's rigorous monitoring systems are set up precisely to ensure fish entering the food chain is of the highest quality.
Higher than normal levels of domoic acid last delayed the start of the king scallop season in 2003.
The king scallop fishing season runs until 31 May.