IOM licencing

    

    

The Department is considering new proposals on licence fees. A consultation was held in 2018 and information on this is available.

To fish commercially from a registered-fishing vessel within the Isle of Man’s territorial sea, there are several licencing requirements. UK and IOM licences must be held for the vessel, other factors that are considered, as part of the licencing process, are vessel size and length, engine power and fishing methods to be employed.  

A guide to the licensing requirements for the most popular species caught in the territorial sea, will be available here to download shortly, but in the meantime please contact for the Fisheries Directorate for more information. Meanwhile, a licence application form can be downloaded from this page.

Licensing of Foreign (non-UK licenced) Fishing Vessels

Activity within the territorial sea for certain foreign vessels has historically been restricted through the London Fisheries Convention 1964. Following the UK’s departure from the European Union the legislation regarding such activities will change. With effect from 1 January 2021, the Sea Fishing Licensing (No. 2) Regulations 2018 (as amended by the Sea Fishing Licensing (Amendment) Regulations) will be further amended by the Sea Fishing Licensing (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020.

Therefore, from 1 January 2021 access for such vessels will change and specific licence issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture will be required in order to fish in Manx territorial waters.

Licences will only be issued in respect of vessels which can demonstrate the appropriate track record and will be subject to conditions.

For further information these three pieces of legislation are available from the downloadable documents section.

An online application form will be available soon; however, if you are the owner of an EU fishing vessels and wish to fish within Manx territorial waters please contact the Department at fisheries@gov.im