Govt confirms scallop compromise

Measure to be scrapped next week

A controversial policy aimed at protecting the Island's scallop stocks has been scrapped, government has confirmed.

The requirement for fishing boats to report to Manx port authorities daily - which had been in place for just two weeks - provoked outcry from fishermen in southern Scotland.

The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was among those calling on the Island to reverse the decision.

It's now been announced that from Monday (29 January), vessels will no longer be required to check in to declare their catches.

However, boats found to be overfishing or misreporting their takings could be banned from Manx waters.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Geoffrey Boot said the measure 'will not impact on the vast majority of law-abiding owners... who co-operate with regulations'.