Dogger Bank Scallops
Scallop fishing in UK waters of the North Sea around Dogger Bank can resume from 5 April except in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) where a closure will remain in place.
The opening comes after a series of closures agreed with industry last year that covered the whole of UK seas in the Dogger Bank to enable improved scientific understanding of the scallop stock to be developed.
The changes will come in to force via a fishing vessel licence variation from 5 April 2021.
The scallop fishing closure in the Dogger Bank SAC will remain in place until the outcome of the MMO consultation on a proposed byelaw to prohibit all bottom towed gear in the area is decided in late summer.
The four UK Fisheries Administrations are committed to continuing their engagement with industry on the management of fishing in the area.