The Marine Management Organisation, UK Fishing Administrations, and the Isle of Man Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture have announced a two-and-a-half-month closure of areas 6a and 7a in the Irish Sea for the queen scallop fishery, effective from 1 April to 30 June 2023. The measure aims to protect queen scallops during their spawning season and foster population growth. The closure will be applied to all EU, Isle of Man, and UK fishing vessels, aligning with the commitment to sustainable fishing, a healthy marine environment, and economic stability for fishers.