Fisheries Division

Who we are and what we do

The Fisheries Division of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) undertakes to manage and protect fisheries and their supporting ecosystems within the Island and its territorial sea.

Licencing and enforcement are key to the management and protection of our fisheries. Monitoring of fishery stock levels and scientific-data assist our efforts; we also work with the fishing industry, anglers, wildlife and marine conservation groups and other stakeholders.

For information on the Coronavirus Fisheries Industry Support Scheme visit the COVID-19 website.

For information on the EU-Exit, please visit our Isle of Man Fisheries EU-Exit page.

Please click the relevant button(s) below to visit our webpages.

button_Vessel licencing    button_Commercial fishing

Button _Recreational Fishing    button_Fish buyers and sellers

button_Legislation policy enforcement    button_Hobby crab and lobster potting

Button _Marine Conservation    button_Fisheries science

Notifications
IOM and UK licence condition affecting 10m & under vessels: digital catch recording.

Category A (10m and under) Isle of Man Sea Fishing licences have been varied to introduce a digital catch recording system for this sector of the fleet with effect from 25th March 2020.

All affected vessels have been contacted by the Department with information on how to use this new system.

Please be aware that the requirement to submit NESTFORMS and Monthly Shellfish Returns is still in place and these should be submitted alongside the new electronic catch recording.

Digital Assistance:

Within your registration details there is an option to contact the UK Call Centre with any reporting issues, as an Isle of Man registered vessel you should contact DEFA Fisheries Division on 01624 685837 to ask for assistance or report any problems with the catch recording service. This service is only available during normal office hours, outside these hours you can email Fisheries@gov.im.
Please note that the fishing restriction in the Douglas bank area of Manx waters remains in place through the Isle of Man's domestic Sea-Fisheries (Technical Measures) Bye-Laws 2000, Part III (Restrictions on fishing for Herring), Section 18 (1) - Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall retain on board herring which are caught from 21 September to 15 November within that part of the territorial sea lying within that part of ICES Division VIIa bounded by the following co-ordinates:
  • 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

 

Environment Directorate

Fisheries Division

Department of Environment Food and Agriculture

Thie Slieau Whallian

Foxdale Road

St John's

IM4 3AS

Telephone:+44 1624 685857

Email:Send Email