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Commercial fishing

Loss of static fishing gear

During the recent storms a significant quantity of static gear was lost within the territorial sea. While the Department recognises the consequences of such losses to static gear fishermen it is also aware of the potential environmental risks and hazards to other stakeholders.

With that in mind please be aware of the potential for gear conflict and be especially mindful when hauling your gear.

If you do encounter lost gear please note that each pot should have a coloured tag attached which states the vessel PLN and the licence number. Please make a note of this information and the coordinates where the gear was encountered and notify the Department at fisheries@gov.im

The main fisheries undertaken in the Isle of Man’s territorial sea (12 nautical miles) are for king scallop, queen scallop, crab, lobster and whelk. For details about exploiting these fisheries commercially from a registered-fishing vessel, please see IOM Licencing.

UK and IOM fishing licence conditions and variations are available on this website.

Vessel owners and masters fishing our territorial sea should also be aware of the following:

  • restricted or closed areas
  • commercial fishing – guidance notes for logbooks and VMS
  • surveys taking place

What business support and assistance is available for this industry?

Please see Fisheries Grants, check out Business Support and Assistance or contact the Fisheries Directorate.

Consultation on New Controls in the Queen Scallop Fishery in ICES Divisions VIa and VIIa

The UK and Isle of Man Fisheries Administrations want to know what you think about proposals to improve how the UK queen scallop fishery is managed in future. These improvements will help protect queen scallop stocks and build on the data and evidence collected.

The proposals include:

  • Increase the MLS of queen scallops
  • Introduce a voluntary closed season
  • Introduce limits on the number of vessels able to access the fishery, specifically via entry restrictions

Views on longer-term management options are also sought, including:

  • Effort reduction measures (restricting time that vessels can fish)
  • Catch quotas
  • Closed areas
  • Gear-specific management

This consultation closes on 3 January 2017 12.00am

This consultation is available on the Scottish Government consultation website.

Fisheries Directorate

Department of Environment Food and Agriculture

Thie Slieau Whallian

Foxdale Road

St John's

IM4 3AS

Telephone:+44 1624 685857

Email:Send Email

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