The Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture is praising the efforts of those in the fishing industry and in his Department in working to reach a compromise over this year’s Queen scallop fishery.
Phil Gawne MHK is also pledging his Department’s full support for local fishermen whose livelihoods will be affected by the dramatic reduction in Queenies this summer.
Scientists from Bangor University, who advise the Department on changes in stock levels, recommended Queen scallop fishing should be suspended this summer because of a significant depletion in stock – which has fallen to 53% below historic levels and 88% below a peak population seen in 2011/12.
Since the Bangor stock report in May, the Minister and DEFA officers have been working closely with the fishing industry to agree how to balance the financial impact on the fishermen of reduced catches against the need to conserve the remaining stocks and safeguard the long-term sustainability of the fishery and their industry.
As a result, fishing vessels are carrying out ‘test trawls’ in the Irish Sea which have so far broadly confirmed the low stock levels reported by Bangor.
As an interim measure, the Queen scallop fishery will be opened on 2 July for a fortnight, with limits on the daily catch, number of days at sea and with queenie grounds opened in rotation.
The Minister said:
‘We are working hard, with the excellent support of the Manx Fish Producers’ Organisation and the co-operation and understanding of those in the industry, to reach a compromise that will ensure some fishing takes place this summer, while also trying to allow rapid recovery of the stocks.
‘July’s interim arrangement will help in the short term while we establish what limits will be needed for the rest of this summer.
‘The Queenie Management Board, which advises my Department on the catch level that should be set, meets again next Tuesday (1 July), to agree next steps.
‘In the meantime, I want to send out a strong message to the fishing industry that the Department will support it through this difficult period. In the past we have had ‘tie-up’ schemes and we are giving consideration to a similar scheme this year as well as a scheme that will aid fishermen to diversify into other catches while Queenie stocks recover.’
The Minister encouraged the public to support this weekend’s Sure Queenie Festival, which takes place in Port St Mary from Friday to Sunday.
‘The festivaltakes place at a difficult time for the Manx queenie fishery as concern over reduced stocks is being actively addressed,’ the Minister said. ‘This festival, just like the industry itself, is here for the long term and we feel sure that our Queenie fishery has a bright future. This year’s festival gives us all the opportunity to show our support for the fishermen and processors who are likely to have a difficult few months ahead.’
Free attractions include watersports, swimming, sailing and kayaking, cookery and chef demonstrations, live music, market stalls, marine touch tanks, beach sports, including volleyball and cricket, and a trawler race.
‘The Queenie is one of the jewels in the crown of the food industry and is fêted worldwide. The Manx public is now probably more aware of it than ever, so this is the chance to come along, celebrate it and enjoy a fun day out into the bargain.’
For more information on the festival, visit http://queeniefestival.com/