Measures to further support the Island’s ?12 million sea fishing industry will be laid before Tynwald this month.

Regulations will give legal status to the existing Queen Scallop Management Board (QMB) under the 2012 Fisheries Act.

The board comprises scientists and representatives of the catching and processing sectors from the Isle of Man, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It reviews scientific evidence to recommend to the Department of Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture (DEFA) the annual catch limit it should set for queen scallops within the Manx territorial sea.

Its new formalised role includes helping ensure the Island’s queenie fishery becomes both profitable and sustainable and advising DEFA over conservation measures.

At a time the Island is actively working alongside UK fisheries administrations to develop cross-Irish Sea collaboration on sustainability, the QMB is also tasked with taking into account political developments in the UK and further afield.

Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘It’s important the Queenie Management Board is recognised as a formal advisory body to the Department. The wealth of expertise among board members is of great value to us in contributing to the management of this economically vital fishery.’

Regulations further prohibiting or restricting fishing in three small inshore areas of the Island’s territorial seas will also be laid before Tynwald, with the aim of protecting and enhancing the king scallop fishery.

An area off Douglas has been closed for seven years and areas off Laxey and Niarbyl subject to restrictions for six years, allowing protection to young king scallops and other marine life.

The regulations will extend the closures/restrictions for a further two years to allow DEFA to work with stakeholders to optimise the conservation benefits of the sites.