Fisheries income potential 'overlooked'

Body investigating future for industry on Island

The Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture says he believes the potential of generating income from our fishery has not been viewed as seriously as it might have been.

The issue of sea fishing licence fees is to be examined by a new sub-group of the Future Fisheries working group - the body set up to deliver DEFA’s strategy of the same name.

Currently vessels pay a flat fee for a licence to fish in our waters, regardless of what species they fish for.

The fee is set by Tynwald every two years.

Minister Geoffrey Boot says he's aiming to develop a Manx fishing industry which is both profitable and sustainable . .