Ramsey Bay has been closed to scallop fishing with immediate effect.
The decision's been made - and requisite bye-laws signed - to protect the ones which remain in the area following a period of sustained fishing since the opening of the season on 1st November 2009.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry says boats from elsewhere in Britain have been drawn to Manx waters recently following the closure of the Welsh scallop fishery.
DAFF says the scallop industry is an important part of the Island’s economy.
In the 2008/09 season, for example, the Island’s fish processors received some 1000 tonnes of the shellfish for cleaning, packing and exporting.
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