Legislation, Policy and Guidance

The Fisheries Act 2012 and the Wildlife Act 1990 provides the legal powers for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) to make regulations, bye-laws and orders (‘Statutory Documents’), which come into effect once signed by the Department’s Minister. Please note that Statutory Documents may come into effect in advance of the regulation being laid before Tynwald.

Statutory Documents will be made available here for your reference, for both recreational and commercial fishing. Statutory Documents can also be found on the Tynwald website, and the Attorney General's Chambers legislation website.

In addition to Statutory Documents, the Department uses Policy Documents in order to apply a consistent approach to its functions and duties under the Fisheries Act 2012.

Guidance Documents are published here to assist users with certain technical requirements of regulated activities.