Local fishermen claimed navy divers were not only landing scallops commercially without a licence, but that they were doing it during a recent ban on the shellfish, brought in because of dangerous Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning.

Divers are trained around Skye

The ban was only lifted three weeks ago.

Now Butec base commander Quentin Banting has told all divers not to take any crustaceans.

"I am certain Navy divers were not breaking the law," he said.

"However, I do appreciate that if all the divers took just a little for themselves then that can add up to a substantial ammount.

"I will do everything I possibly can to make sure navy divers do not threaten the livelihood of local scallop divers."

Scallop farmer Dave Hardy said he believed local hotels were being supplied by the navy divers during the shellfish ban.

"This has been going on for years and it has reached a head," he said.

"If they're allowed to continue there'll be serious conflict. Somebody will board these boats and do serious damage."

Local scallop diver Paul Camilli added: "The job's hard enough without these people coming in and doing it at taxpayers' expense."