The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry today opened a public consultation on proposals by the Department to undertake small scale trials of a new type of artificial reef close to Port Erin.

It is hoped that the trials will allow the Department to evaluate the possibility of using redundant marine cables to create reef structures that will increase biodiversity and productivity in the area, and create a feature that will be of great interest to both anglers and divers.

Phil Gawne, Minsiter for DAFF, said 'The closed area off Port Erin has been closely monitored for nearly two decades, and we know that it already has a dense population of mature scallops that may well be reseeding Manx fishing grounds with scallop spat.

'Without risking this valuable conservation role, the Department hopes that this project will create a number of diverse new habitats in the area, that will support populations of fish, shellfish and other organisms that would not otherwise be found there.'

'The project will be carefully monitored by scientists from Southampton University, acknowledged as the European leaders in this field, and if adverse impacts are found the structures will be removed.

'However, I am confident that the structures planned will further add to the established attractions of Port Erin as a centre for marine tourism, enhancing the considerable conservation benefits that the existing closed area provides.'