Isle Of Man moves to safeguard Queenie Stock

3 day week fishing agreement was \'unanimous\' to avoid depletion

The Isle of Man Queenie Management Board has confirmed that member-vessels have agreed to a voluntary Tie-Up Scheme, across the whole of the Irish Sea, to safeguard the Queenie Stock which was facing unprecedented levels of fishing. 

Chairman of the Board, Peter Winterbottom said that members of the Board are in unanimous agreement that current levels of fishing across the Irish Sea are unsustainable, and that without immediate action the stock as a whole is in danger of depletion.

It means from next Monday, all member vessels will fish for queenies for a maximum of 3 days in any one week, until further notice.

John Shimmin, Minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture said he welcomed the move and will be contacting its counterparts in the other Irish Sea Administrations to ask for wider support for this measure to help further preserve stocks.