Consultation on the Draft Isle of Man Fisheries Statement

Overview

This consultation seeks views on the Draft Isle of Man Fisheries Statement, which sets out the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s principles, objectives, and priorities for the sustainable management of sea fisheries post-Brexit.

Download the Draft Isle of Man Fisheries Statement.

Why your views matter

Outside of the European Union, the United Kingdom is now an independent coastal state and no longer has any obligations under the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

The UK now manages fisheries under the UK Fisheries Act 2020, and has set out its objectives and policy priorities within the Joint Fisheries Statement (2022), including its ambition to deliver a number of ‘Fisheries Management Plans’ for certain fisheries in UK waters.

Although the Isle of Man was never a member of the European Union, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture was required to ensure that the management of sea fisheries in the Isle of Man territorial sea complied with the UKs European obligation under the Fisheries Management Agreement 2012.

Post-Brexit, the Isle of Man remains an independent and autonomous British fisheries jurisdiction and, as such, neither the UK Fisheries Act 2020, nor the Joint Fisheries Statement, apply to the Isle of Man.

It is important that the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture of the Isle of Man Government establishes its own objectives, principles, and priorities for fisheries management in the Isle of Man territorial sea post-Brexit.

This consultation seeks views from stakeholders and the wider public on the proposed Isle of Man Fisheries Statement, which is a document that will act as the Department’s strategic approach to the sustainable management of sea fisheries in the Isle of Man territorial sea, and which will replace the ‘Future Fisheries Strategy’ (2015).

Summary of Responses, and DEFA Response to Consultees

A summary of responses will be posted on the Department’s website within 3 months of the close of the consultation period and will also be available from the Tynwald library and the Department’s head office.