New Welsh regulations increase the minimum legal sizes of scallops that can be taken from the Welsh zone.
| Species | Previous minimum | New minimum |
|---|---|---|
| King scallop | 100mm | 110mm |
| Queen scallop | 40mm | 55mm |
The Welsh Government says the changes are supported by scientific research from Bangor University and are intended to allow more scallops to mature and reproduce before being caught.
Why it matters: The regulations aim to improve the long-term sustainability of Welsh shellfish stocks, although they may also affect catches and income for some fishing businesses in the shorter term.
Senedd scrutiny identified a separate concern about the accessibility of existing fisheries byelaws. The Government acknowledged that some published versions did not incorporate later amendments and undertook to improve explanatory material.
Status: Binding regulations effective today, rather than a consultation or proposal.
