New prawn quotas for Manx fishermen being explored

Part of efforts to diversify sector for future

Opportunities to further diversify the Isle of Man’s fishing industry are being explored in order to keep the sector sustainable in the future.

It’s hoped other types of fishing will be able to be pursued so that fishermen do not have to solely rely on the five non-quota species which are seasonal.

It’s believed around a third of the largest population of Nephrops in the world exists in Manx territorial waters.

David Beard, the chief executive of the Manx Fish Producers Organisation, has welcomed the idea of prawn fishing but says it would need investment. 

Jack Emerson is the sea fisheries policy manager at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Both men spoke to Phil Gawne as part of Manx Radio's Perspective: