Manx resident fined £10,000 for having undersized lobsters
Fishermen are being warned they will be prosecuted if they breach rules around minimum landing sizes for shellfish.
Last week a local resident was fined £10,000 for being in possession of undersized lobsters.
Government says regulations around the size of crabs and lobsters exist to protect the ‘sustainability and conservation’ of crustacean stocks around the Island.
Allowing them to stay at sea longer, before being caught, helps to boost the population – potentially increasing the number of opportunities to spawn and the number of offspring produced.
The minimum size of lobsters will increase again to 90mm in September.
Dr Michelle Haywood, the MHK with political responsibility for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: "It is important that all local fishermen follow these rules otherwise they will find themselves in breach of the law and the department will prosecute offenders."
The potting fishery is worth more than two million pounds to the Manx economy.
Farmers could be left 'high and dry' by tariffs response
Will the impending arrival of Wetherspoons to Manx shores impact the local music scene?
Thirty nine babies born in March
Fines of nearly £22k issued for Income Tax and NI offences