UK: Additional protection for Isle of Man fishing grounds

Additional protection for Isle of Man fishing grounds Three important fishing sites in Isle of Man owned waters are to receive enhanced protection under new measures announced by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) to prohibit bottom trawling. The new closed areas sit within the Western Irish Sea Mud-belt (WISMB), which is a large expanse of muddy habitat off the island’s west coast that provides vital habitat for a wide range of marine species, including langoustines (prawns). The expansive area has been extensively trawled for decades by UK fleets and the seabed was recently recognised by OSPAR as one of the most physically disturbed in the North-East Atlantic. Despite this, marine scientists believe prawn numbers are sustainable with an estimated 4.5 billion individuals on the grounds between the Island and Northern Ireland, but other species taken as ‘bycatch’ in bottom trawls are in a poor state. DEFA’s decisive action will protect numerous vulnerable ...