Public to help set up marine reserve

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is looking for public involvement in a three year project to identify and establish the first Marine Nature Reserve in Manx waters.

It says a vital part of the project is the active involvement of the community and has set up a number of public meetings in different parts of the Island.

They will follow two meetings last year, with interested parties including fishermen.

Marine Wildlife and Conservation Officer for DAFF Dr Fiona Gell (pictured) says it's a complicated project which would be difficult to set up (audio file attached):

The first community meeting will be at the Erin Arts Centre, at 8pm on January 29. Others will follow, at Peel, Castletown, Douglas, Ramsey, Onchan, Port St Mary and Laxey.