Isle of Man Government – New committee to provide advice on recreational fishing

The newly formed board met for the first time to discuss the best way to sustainably manage the Isle of Man’s recreational fisheries.

The Recreational Fisheries Management Board (RFMB) brings together experts in the fields of fisheries and conservation to advise the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) on protecting natural resources and promoting responsible fishing for this popular pastime.

The island’s recreational fishery encompasses a network of rivers, reservoirs, streams and coastal habitats, each of which plays a vital role in its ecological and recreational landscape. Supports a variety of species including Atlantic salmon, brown trout and sea bass (Opens in a new tab).

Environment, Food and Farming Minister Clare Barber MHK said:

“This inaugural meeting marks an important step towards ensuring the long-term health and vitality of aquatic ecosystems and a more sustainable future for our precious fisheries.

“The Commission will play an important role in supporting informed decision-making that will benefit our biosphere and fishing communities, creating an environment we can be proud of.”

The RFMB will make recommendations on a range of issues to inform government policy. It will initially focus on three key areas:

• Atlantic salmon: review of stocking rivers and use of the Corna hatchery
• Fishing licenses: Proposals for freshwater system reform
• Fish migration: Improving fish mobility in inland waterways

The committee is still seeking members with expertise in recreational fisheries management, conservation or related areas. Those interested in any form of recreational fishing, including fishing with fish pots, can email fisheries@gov.im learn more.

The Isle of Man Government is committed to protecting and enhancing recreational fisheries (Opens in a new tab) To ensure they continue to be a resource available to local residents and visitors, more than 1,700 freshwater licenses have been sold each year and six reservoirs are stocked with more than 20,000 rainbow trout raised at the Corna Fish Farm.