OpenConsultation consultationoutcome

ICES area 7d and 7e king scallop dredge fishery closure 2026 & 2027 

From:
Marine Management Organisation
Published
10 November 2025
Last updated
23 March 2026 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

King scallop closure decision 2026

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1 Page Poster King Scallop Closure decision 2026

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Detail of outcome

In exercise of its obligations under the Joint Fisheries Statement, MMO have determined the most appropriate closure decision to balance the protection of the spawning stocks and the wider environment, with the socio-economic impacts expressed by stakeholders, is to apply a 3-month closure period to the king scallop (Pectens maximus) dredge fishery applicable in both 7d and a parallel closure in 7e from 1 July to 30 September 2026. 

  • The closure in ICES division 7d will apply to all vessels over 10 metres.
  • The closure in ICES division 7e will apply to all vessels over 12 metres in length.
  • The closures will apply to both EU and UK scallop dredge vessels.

What happens next?

The closure will be enacted by a licence variation.

The variation will include:

  • A prohibition to all vessels using scallop dredges over 10 m in length from 1 July to 30 September 2026 in UK waters of ICES division 7d.
  • A prohibition to all vessels using scallop dredges over 12 m in length from 1 July to 30 September 2026 in UK Waters in Ices division 7e

Original consultation

Summary

2026 and 2027 consultation .

This consultation closesran atfrom
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Consultation description

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking views on proposals to protect the king scallop (Pectens maximus) stocks in UK waters of International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) areas 7d & 7e in summer of 2026 & 2027.    

The purpose of the consultation is to consider protection for stocks during the main spawning period for king scallops within areas 7d and 7e, with peak spawning typically in summer. Scientific evidence indicates that protection for stocks against fishing activity during the summer months is likely to deliver the most benefit.    

In past years a closure has been implemented in ICES area 7d and Lyme Bay area of ICES area 7e which focused on providing increased protection for spawning stock, facilitating juvenile recruitment and supporting future viability and sustainability of the stock.   

Due to concerns regarding stock health in the 7e offshore areas MMO is proposing an option to extend the extent of 2026 and 2027 management to support spawning scallop stocks in the entirety of ICES areas 7e and 7d. 

MMO is proposing a closure for 7d & 7e king scallop dredge fishery of:  

  • 1 July to 30 September 2026 & 2027 

The consultation is open from 10 November 2025 to midnight 30 November 2025. To respond to this consultation please see king scallop dredge closure consultation survey.

What happens next?   

MMO will review all the information received during the consultation and will publish a summary of the responses and the decision on whether to close the king scallop fishery, when and which vessels will be affected. Any closure will be enacted by a licence variation.

Documents 

King scallop dredge closure consultation survey.

2026 and 2027 consultation   

Review the consultation and decision documents for the 2026/2027 consultation below.     

The consultation document for the 2026 King Scallop Closure in 7 ICES area 7d and 7e can be found here: king scallop dredge closure consultation survey.

Documents

King scallop dredge consultation 2026 & 2027

PDF, 1.81 MB, 20 pages

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1 page poster king scallop closure 2026

PDF, 293 KB, 1 page

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Updates to this page

Published 10 November 2025
Last updated 23 March 2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

  1. Final outcome published.

  2. First published.

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