Queenie catch limit down by a fifth

Declining stocks blamed for new rules

There's been a significant drop in the queen scallop catch limit for the 2017 season.

Those licensed to fish for queenies will see the figure drop by 20% when the season opens next month (3 July).

In 2016, the permitted catch was 1,240 tonnes - that figure has now dropped to 992 tonnes for the year ahead.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Geoffrey Boot says the decision has been made following research from Bangor University which shows queenie stocks in general decline.