The start of the king scallop fishing season on the west coast has been delayed.
It was due to start tomorrow (Saturday) but has been put off after tests on samples found higher than normal levels of domoic acid.
A Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture spokesman said it was a priority to reopen the fishery once the level of acid had reduced to inside EU legislation.
The spokesman said: ‘As is standard practice in advance of the season opening, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture collected samples of king scallops from Manx territorial waters.
‘Samples collected off the west coast of the island were found to contain higher than normal levels of domoic acid – a situation that occurs from time to time.
‘Domoic acid arises naturally from a species of phytoplankton that occurs in the Irish Sea and occasionally “blooms” causing high concentrations, as happened this summer. King scallops feed on this plankton.’
He continued: ‘The maximum levels of domoic acid permitted in king scallops entering the food chain are prescribed in EU legislation.
‘It has therefore been agreed with the industry that as a precautionary measure there will be a delayed start to the king scallop fishing season off the west coast of the island.’
Levels diminish naturally and will drop as the scallops metabolise the domoic acid.
The spokesman said: ‘It is a priority of the department to reopen the fishery and the crew of the department’s vessel Barrule will continue to gather samples of king scallops from the west coast.
‘These will be tested by the government analyst and as soon as it is clear the acid has reduced to an appropriate level, this will occur.’
The king scallop fishing season on the east coast will start as normal tomorrow.
Consumers were advised they ‘need have no concerns whatsoever about king scallops on sale, as the department’s rigorous monitoring systems are set up precisely to ensure fish entering the food chain is of the highest quality’.
Higher than normal levels of domoic acid last delayed the start of the king scallop season in 2003.
The king scallop fishing season runs until May 31.