There have recently been instances when vessels, both commercial and leisure, have had items of floating fishing gear ingested into their water jet intakes or tangled in their propellers causing damage to the propulsion systems.  In order to improve the safety of navigation and following consultation with a range of harbour users and fishermen the Department has agreed to identify proposed restricted areas in the approaches to all harbours which may involve extending harbour limits.

Harbours Division officers  are in the process of meeting fishermen and Fisheries Officers from the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture to formulate the draft restricted areas. The approaches to Douglas harbour are the main concern but similar risks occur in the approaches to all of the other harbours. In the restricted areas no fishing gear will be permitted.

All potting fishermen, including those who fish as a hobby, are reminded not to lay any fishing gear in the approaches to any harbour.  Further advice can be sought from either the Harbours Division Tel 686916 or from the Fisheries Division of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Tel 685842.