A new board to manage the fishing in Isle of Man waters could incorporate experts in both king and queen scallops.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Geoffrey Boot said he agreed a combined king and queen scallop board would be a sensible move and would be more efficient than having two separate entities.

Mr Boot was answering a Keys question from Douglas North MHK David Ashford who wanted to know who would form the membership of the new king scallop board and how often it would meet.

He said the existing queen scallop management board would need perhaps four or five new members with relevant expertise in king scallops. The board will meet six times a year and receive scientific advice based on research carried out by Bangor University.

Members were told the current queen scallop board comprises eight members representing scientists, fish processors and fishermen.

’I expect this may be increased by four or five people,’ he said.

Last July, the government announced a public consultation on the best measures to sustain the king scallop stocks. Fishing for king scallops was worth £4 million during last year’s November-to-May season, with 4,500 tonnes landed.

The consultation was prompted by the increasing popularity of king scallops as a catch and the consequent reduction in stocks. The new board is to be set up following the consultation which couched opinions on putting a cap on the number of licences issued, restricting fishing at weekends, restricting the length of tow lines on boats, as well as establishing a management board.

The consultation brought 84 responses and 92 per cent of those favoured a cap on the number of licences issued. In addition 86 per cent supported a new king scallop board.