Fisheries Division

• The East coast of the Island at Latitude 54˚ 20'N
• Latitude 54˚ 20'N, Longitude 003˚ 40'W
• Latitude 53˚ 50'N, Longitude 003˚ 50'W
• Latitude 53˚ 50'N, Longitude 004˚ 50'W
• The south-west coast of the Island at longitude 004˚ 50'W

The UK has left the EU.

There will now be a transition period until 31 December 2020 while the EU and UK negotiate new arrangements. During the transition period existing rules and arrangements will remain in place for people and business in the Isle of Man. Until 31 December 2020 businesses that export fish or fishery products to the EU, or fishermen that land their catch directly into EU ports, can continue to trade with the EU as they do now. 

The Isle of Man’s relationship with the EU after the transition period will be dependent on the agreement on the future relationship reached between the UK and the EU.

Use the information below to find out what actions that you and your business can take now to prepare for the end of the transition period and the future relationship.

(The information on these webpages will be continually updated throughout the transition period.)

Owners of Isle of Man registered commercial fishing vessels are reminded that under European Commission (EC) contingency proposals to enable it to grant fishing vessels access to European Union (EU) waters in certain circumstances after Brexit, Manx vessels will be required to be registered with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

As the IMO number is required should any Isle of Man vessels wish to land into EU ports, it is asked that owners inform the Department of their IOM number once registered, which can be done by emailing fisheries@gov.im or calling the Fisheries section on 01624 685857.

More information about the requirement for IMO numbers and how to apply to register for a number is available on the gov.uk website.

Information for Isle of Man Vessel Owners in the event of a no deal Brexit – If you intend to make a direct landing into an EU country

Isle of Man Buyer and Sellers: If you currently export fish to the EU, you'll need to use the new digital services to create catch certificates and other export documents. Register today to prepare for a no deal Brexit.

Give prior notification to land fish in the EU. In a no-deal Brexit, you’ll need to give prior notification before you land fish directly from your UK flagged vessel in an EU designated port.

The UK have produced guidance on Exporting and importing fish if there’s no Brexit deal.

The UK government have prepared guidance for business to prepare for EU exit.

The Department for Enterprise has issued a checklist for businesses in preparation for the outcome of Brexit negotiations next year.

Seafish.org has compiled a guide for the UK seafood industry on preparing your business for EU exit

The UK have produced guidance on exporting animals, animal products, fish and fishery products to the EU after EU Exit.

MMO Press Release: Fishermen urged to be Brexit ready by registering with the IMO

The Isle of Man Government has launched an online Brexit checklist for Isle of Man food manufacturers

UKFAs prepare licensing for commercial fishing in non-UK waters after Brexit
A licensing authority has been set up to ensure UK licenced fishermen have the correct licences to fish legally in line with any negotiated agreements, in non-UK waters.

EU Exit and the Transition Period

Moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol

Moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021

The following information relating to the future arrangements between the EU and the UK has been supplied by the EU-UK Fisheries Negotiations team within the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Q&A

How will the UK continue to maintain the sustainable management of shared stocks?

The UK has long championed sustainable fishing and our plans are to set a gold standard for sustainable fishing around the world. We are committed to working closely with our partners including the EU, Norway and Faroe Islands to manage shared stocks in a sustainable way and share fishing opportunities on a fair and scientific basis.

What does leaving the EU mean for fisheries?

We automatically take back control of our waters, and others’ right to fish in them, at the end of 2020.  We will be leaving the Common Fisheries Policy and will be an independent coastal State. This is the automatic position under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and does not have to be negotiated. For the first time in 40 years, we will be free to decide who can access our waters and on what terms. Any access by non-UK vessels to fish in UK waters will be a matter for negotiation.

What agreement is the UK seeking?

We will be taking back control of our waters, and others’ right to fish in them after Brexit. Any agreement we may have will have to reflect these basic facts. The UK and EU have committed to use best endeavours to agree a new fisheries agreement by 1 July 2020. In line with the practice of other independent coastal States, the agreement would provide a framework for annual negotiations on access and quota and set out a mechanism for cooperation on fisheries matters where we share an interest with the EU.

Is the UK Government committed to securing more fishing quota for the UK fishing industry?

Yes. The UK will be an independent coastal State. We will leave the Common Fisheries Policy and will no longer be bound by the EU’s outdated and unfair method for sharing fishing opportunities. The UK will move to a fairer and more scientific method for determining future shares which better reflects where fish live.

Will EU vessels continue to have access to fish in UK waters?

As set out in the Withdrawal Agreement, during the transition period, we have agreed that we will continue to apply current fisheries rules and shared access to waters will continue until the end of 2020. From 2021, any decisions about giving access to our waters for vessels from the EU, or any other coastal states including Norway, will then be a matter for negotiation.