Photo by Jannet Serhan

Queen scallop fishing in two key UK fishing areas has been temporarily banned until the end of June to allow stocks to spawn and recover. The closure, which runs from 1 April to 30 June 2026, covers ICES sub-areas 6a and 7a — waters off the west coast of Scotland and the Irish Sea — and was confirmed by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) working with the other UK fisheries administrations through a licence variation.

The measure prohibits all vessels from fishing for queen scallops in those divisions from 00:01 on 1 April to 23:59 on 30 June, with the Isle of Man territorial sea excluded from the closure area.

Why now

Scientific evidence indicates that queen scallops typically spawn between March and May, making spring the critical period for juvenile settlement. The MMO said the three-month closure will allow mature scallops to spawn before being caught, while also increasing protection for juveniles as they grow. Secondary spawning can occur later in the summer and autumn, though the spring spawn is considered the most significant for stock replenishment.

The absence of dredging during the closure will also reduce disturbance to the seabed. The MMO noted that dredging removes animals and plants from the ocean floor that scallop larvae need to settle on to begin their development and growth.

Industry context

The seasonal closure mirrors similar measures from previous years, including a voluntary closure first introduced in 2015. The Fishing Daily notes that closures during peak spawning can also serve industry interests: heavy spawning reduces yields of meat and roe, affecting product value, so a formal closure during this period may help mitigate economic loss for operators.

The MMO said the decision was reached in consultation with all UK fisheries administrations. Fishing operators with questions have been directed to contact the MMO at sustainablefisheries@marinemanagement.org.uk.