Government accused of tearing up fisheries deal

DEFA respond to claims

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has responded to claims that the Manx Government are "tearing up" the Fisheries Management agreement.

Changes announced by DEFA, which come into effect on 8th January, include the stipulation that all vessels licensed to fish for king scallops in Manx waters, irrespective of their port of origin, must report into a Manx port each day it fishes.

DEFA says this 'method of safeguarding catch levels' has been used before, and helped improve the level of compliance and quality of stock management.

But Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader Elaine Murray says the changes will have hugely adverse impacts on Scottish fishermen:

Dr Murray says they have written to Scottish Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing, demanding the Scottish Government take action to regularise the situation and secure the 300 plus jobs that exist in their region.

DEFA says it continues to explore new technological solutions to ensure all vessels accurately record catch levels, in accordance with enforced limits.