King scallop dredge fishery temporary closure decision

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has today 23 March 2026 announced its decision on a temporary closure to dredge fishing for king scallops in ICES areas 7d and 7e in 2026.

The decision, designed to protect stocks during spawning, is based on extensive analysis of the latest scientific and economic evidence, responses to a consultation last year and wider engagement with stakeholders.

The closure area has been extended this year to include all English waters of 7e in response to evidence of scallop stocks being in decline. This decision is precautionary and will extend protection for the marine environment while also conserving commercially important stocks for sustainable fishing in future.

A three-month closure will apply in both areas, 7d and 7e, from 1 July to 30 September 2026:

• The closure in ICES division 7d applies to all vessels over 10 metres in length.
• The closure in ICES division 7e applies to all vessels over 12 metres in length.

The closures will apply to both EU and UK scallop dredge vessels and will be enacted through a licence variation.

Stakeholders can send questions to MMO’s Fisheries Management Team at [email protected]

For further information on the decision read here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/king-scallop-dredge-fishery-temporary-closure-decision