The Manx and Scottish governments are at loggerheads in a dispute about king scallop fisheries.

The Edinburgh administration says it may invoke the dispute resolution process after the Manx government announced protection measures for the fishery.

The Isle of Man Government has issued a statement to say it is "disappointed" with the Scottish Government’s threat.

The Manx measures, due to take effect on Monday – which cover both UK and Manx vessels in Manx waters – are "urgently required" to preserve declining stocks, the island’s government says.

It says all scallop boats should call into a Manx port each day when fishing in our waters.

A Manx government statement reads: "Manx officials have strong indications from catch records that some boats are taking more fish from Isle of Man waters than they are entitled to.

"Further, the Isle of Man Government is disappointed that the Scottish Government has not taken into account recent negotiations which have resulted in a change to the original proposals.

"An amendment allows vessels whose catch has only been taken from Manx waters to return to their home port, avoiding the need to visit Manx ports daily."

The Isle of Man government says it does not believe it has breached the terms of the Fisheries Management Agreement (FMA) and has taken these steps to prevent illegal scallop fishing.

It will though continue to engage in dialogue with FMA partners to further assess the impact and continue to try and identify an alternative, effective solution.

The king scallop industry is worth £12m to the Manx economy.

Some 89 vessels are licensed to fish for king scallops within the 12-mile limit this season, 31 of them Manx and the remainder from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This season a total catch limit of 3,203 tonnes was imposed, with initial daily limits of 1,050kg per vessel, reduced to 700kg at the end of November.