The second in a series of eight public meetings on the possibility of establishing a marine nature reserve takes place in Peel this evening.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has recently begun the three year Marine Nature Reserve Project which aims to identify and establish the first Marine Protected Area for conservation in Manx waters.

A vital part of the initiative is the active involvement of the community.

So far there have been two meetings about the project, the first with fishermen towards the end of last year and the second with a wider range of stakeholders in Port Erin last week.

It's hoped as many people as possible will become involved, and a further six meetings around the Island are scheduled in the next two weeks.

This evening's meeting is at the Centenary Centre in Atholl Street, at 8pm.

More information is available from DAFF's marine wildlife and conservation officer Fiona Gell, who you can email at fiona.gell@gov.im or ring on 843109.