Scallop compromise fair says DEFA Minister

Daily port call requirment scrapped

It's a compromise not a climb down insists DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot, this after government backtracked on a controversial king scallop conservation measure.

After talks with the Scottish government, it was announced today (Friday) a requirement for all vessels fishing for the species to call daily at a Manx port was being revoked.

It had raised concerns about the negative effect the requirement would have on the Scottish fishing industry.

Vessels who mis-report their catch numbers will now risk having their licences suspended, when there's reasonable suspicion they're cheating the system.

Mr Boot has defended this change of position, which he believes is fairer: