Scallop fishermen have been told they can land a total of 2,049 tonnes of king scallops during the 2019/20 season.

It is a 20% cut on last year’s season total of 2,562 tonnes.

The daily catch limit per vessel will be 560kg at the start of the season, which will be monitored and reviewed after four weeks and may be changed in response to fishery data and market conditions. Last year the daily catch limit was 700kg, another 20% cut.

The king scallop season began today (Friday).

However, it was only late on Wednesday that it was confirmed to fishermen that they could start fishing, the areas they can fish and the quotas on their catch.

Quotas and the issuing of licences fall under the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Until the licence variations have been issued, fishermen are not allowed to fish in Manx waters.

The closed area at Targets remains in place, while the closed area at Chickens has been redefined. And a closure period during the festive season will take effect from December 22 until January 3.

There had been anger among fishermen over how long it was taking the DEFA to publish to quotas for the 2019/20 season.

Wendy Hotchkiss told the Manx Independent it was ’absolutely disgusting to leave an industry in the dark’ and that ’no other’ industry could be run in the same way as fishing.

Partner Alex Ironside agreed and said it was ’head wrecking every season’.

He criticised the ’total lack of information from DEFA and Minister Geoffrey Boot’.