Designation of inshore Marine Nature Reserves

Overview

This consultation seeks views on the designation of existing Conservation Zones and other marine protected areas as Marine Nature Reserves, and the implementation of new management measures to protect marine species and habitats in inshore waters (out to 3 nautical miles)

Responses to the consultation can be made via the online survey link or using the response forms provided.

Why your views matter

This consultation builds on a long term project to identify areas of conservation importance and to start the process of designating Marine Nature Reserves in Manx waters, which started in 2008, and ongoing work to improve the sustainability of Manx fisheries, working in partnership with the fishing industry.

As part of this process, extensive public consultation and scientific research has been carried out. An extensive consultation with key stakeholders and a full public consultation on inshore zoning and scallop management in May 2016 resulted in the protection of 4 new Conservation Zones from mobile fishing gear and a significant reduction in the number of vessels fishing for king scallops within the 0-3 mile zone (Phase 1 of the Inshore Zoning Project).

This consultation seeks the views of stakeholders on further protection measures.