Fishing

Scallops and the related but smaller queen scallops (queenies) are economically, the most important species and the mainstay of the Manx fishing fleet. A significant quantity of locally caught crab/lobster and scallops are also exported, mainly to European destinations. The Island is noted for the Manx kipper, produced from the summer/autumn herring fishery. However, the fishing grounds round the Isle of Man also yield a variety of species which are valued by both commercial and leisure fisherman, notably cod, sole, skate and plaice.

Conservation management of stocks to safeguard the future viability of fishing opportunities is a priority of the Department and over-fishing of some species has resulted in the introduction of closed season restrictions, catch controls and minimum size restrictions on scallops, herring and whitefish species. Inland, the Department maintains a freshwater fish hatchery and produces both brown and rainbow trout to stock the Island's rivers and reservoirs. The future of the unique Manx Salmon strain is also safeguarded, not only by collecting eggs from the spawning stock and nurturing them prior to release, but by mounting patrols to combat poaching.