Queen scallop fishermen are being invited to apply for grants to diversify into fishing for prawns, squid or white fish.

The move comes as the island’s scallop industry comes under pressure over declining stocks.

Major cuts in catch quotas were announced at the beginning of the queenie season in July and then all areas of the fishery except East Douglas were closed to allow stocks to recover.

Now island queen scallop fishermen are invited to make grant applications to enable fisheries diversification.

Under the government’s Agriculture and Fisheries Grant Scheme, funding is being made available during an eight-week application period, to support a move into new species, gear types and training.

It is anticipated that fishermen will consider diversifying into catching Dublin Bay prawns, squid or white fish.

The eight weeks, from this week until November 18, fall between the two main fishing seasons for queen scallop and king scallop.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Geoffrey Boot urged local queen scallop fishermen to apply.

He said: ’Improving the resilience of the Manx fishing fleet through diversification is of great importance and helps to lead to a more sustainable future.’

All qualifying vessel owners, which are those licensed to fish locally for queen scallop, have been sent an application form. Support of up to 80% towards eligible costs will be available.

Applications for £1,000 or more will be accepted towards new gear to support fishing for new species, such as nets, jiggers and creels; training in use of gear and methods; and purchase of equipment to expand into areas such as marine tourism.

Dr David Beard, chief executive of the Manx Fish Producers Organisation, welcomed the diversification grant scheme.

He said: ’This will enable fishermen to purchase equipment for alternative fisheries which will hopefully provide an income when the main shellfish fisheries are not available.

’Fishermen are asked to draw up a fishing plan with us in order that sustainability of the fishing quota allocation can be maintained.

’This is the first part of a wider diversification plan, supplemented in the future by training courses and developments in relation to additional fish quota.

’We encourage fishermen to apply.’

There is funding of £42,000 per annum available under the Agriculture and Fisheries Grant Scheme. But figurers released showed that grants totalling just £5,752.71 were paid out in 2019-20, with an average grant of £639.