Wildlife

The Ecosystem Policy Team deals with the implementation and enforcement of the Wildlife Act 1990, wildlife aspects of planning and developments, site protection (designation, consents and management agreements), scheduled species, wildlife habitats, import and export licensing for wildlife and wildlife products, wildlife crime, bird conservation and other terrestrial zoological advice. The Ecosystem Policy Team also holds a wildlife records database and mapping system , develops biodiversity policy and strategy, convenes forums and committees as well as building support and advocacy for wildlife issues. The Fisheries Directorate undertakes marine site and species protection, research and survey.

The Department ensures the effective conservation of the Island's most scarce and important species of wild plants and animals and important habitats and provides a service to the government and the people of the Isle of Man by:

• ensuring that the Wildlife Act 1990 is enforced
• providing advice on nature conservation
• working in partnership with voluntary organisations and the public
• identifying and designating areas for protection
• protecting our rarest species
• registering and monitoring keepers of certain bird species
• controlling the trade in endangered species through the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1981
• enforcing the importation restrictions regarding wild animals listed under the Wild Animals (Restriction on Importation, etc) Act 1980 and the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1963 to protect the public and the environment.

Contacts

Marine Animal Strandings

Occasionally, marine animals become stranded on our shores. Typically they are already dead, but are occasionally washed up alive. It is DEFA Fisheries responsibility to investigate, record and report dead strandings of protected species, and the Manx Wildlife Trust has been contracted to undertake the strandings programme. This work may also involve collaboration with the ManxSPCA (in case of live strandings) and a local vet (in case of autopsy requirement).

For more information please download the Marine Animal Strandings Public Information Leaflet.

Newsletters

Biodiversity Matters is the Department's newsletter relating to wildlife and conservation.