If you are fishing off a breakwater or beach or boat with a rod and line for sport you do not need a licence

If you are fishing for crabs or lobsters using 5 pots or less then you need a licence - contact the Department.

But if you catch a fish that is less than the minimum size you must return it to the water

Registered fishing vessels must have the appropriate UK commercial licence. In addition you will need the relevant Isle of Man licence if you wish to fish within 12 miles of the Isle of Man. Licences depend upon the type of fishery and the size of the boat

Vessels over 15.24 metres / 50 ft are not permitted to fish inside the three mile limit

Vessels under 15.24 metres / 50 ft need a permit to fish inside the three mile limit in addition to the appropriate UK commercial licence and appropriate Manx licence

The main fishery round the Isle of Man is scallops. The season for scallops runs from 1st November to 31st May

Queenies are also caught round the Isle of Man: these can be fished all year, but the main fishery is in the summer when vessels cannot prosecute scallops

There is a nephrop ("scampi", or Dublin-bay prawns) fishery off the west coast. In addition there is a herring fishery in the summer

The Island has a small inshore fishery for crabs and lobsters

In addition there is a small scale mixed white fishery