Pectinid fisheries, spat collection, and the potential for stock enhancement in the Isle of Man

Pectinids form the most valuable fishery on the Isle of Man. The state of the scallop and queen fishery is reviewed. On heavily fished inshore grounds, scallop population structures have been markedly shifted over the 52 years of exploitation and 70% of the catch is now undersize (<110-mm shell length). To combat declining profitability, rotational closed area management and restocking with cultivated juveniles are being considered. The special constitutional position of the Isle of Man makes such a management option attractive within the Manx 3-mile territorial zone. Work over a 13-year period suggests that spat collection locally may not be viable for this means of stock enhancement. Studies of restocking, now in progress in an experimental area closed to fishing (established March 1989), are outlined..

This article is part of Marine Science Symposia Volume 192 - "The ecology and management aspects of extensive mariculture". To access other articles from this volume, please use the link to the volume on the upper right hand side.