UK to close queen scallop fishing in ICES 6a and 7a from April–June 2026 to protect spawning stocks and support long-term stock sustainability.
Queen scallop fishing in ICES sub‑areas 6a and 7a will be temporarily closed from 1 April to 30 June 2026 to protect spawning stocks and support long-term sustainability.
This measure was confirmed by the Marine Management Organisation, working with other UK fisheries administrations, through a licence variation.
The seasonal closure mirrors similar measures from previous years, including a voluntary closure first introduced in 2015, and aligns with scientific advice indicating that queen scallops typically spawn in the spring, with March to May representing the main spawning period. Secondary spawning can also occur later in the summer and autumn.
The lack of dredging during the closure allows mature scallops to spawn before being caught, while also protecting juveniles as they grow. It also reduces disturbance on the seabed and prevents the removal of benthic plants and organisms that scallop larvae rely on for settlement and development.
For industry, closures during the main spawning period may help mitigate economic loss, as heavy spawning results in lower yields of meat and roe, affecting product value.
The closure applies to all vessels fishing for queen scallops in ICES divisions 6a and 7a, excluding the Isle of Man territorial sea, and will be enforced by a licence condition prohibiting fishing between 00:01 on 1 April 2026 and 23:59 on 30 June 2026.
