Spuds and Herring for Everyone

A new  herring quota will, the gov says, provide a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for the Manx fishing industry.

At the Manx herring industry’s peak in the 1880s the industry directly employed more than 3,500 people.

Essentially, there is a lot of Brexit stuff going on here, but it has meant that fisherman have more rights to fish in our own seas.

The efforts by the gov and Manx Fish Producers Organisation mean that Manx fishermen can initially land up to 100 tonnes of herring this year. The island has also been given a 100 tonne quota for the small and extremely valuable lobsters, known as langoustines, from 2024.

DEFA Minister Clare Barber said: ‘These quotas are a major boost for the Manx fishing industry and a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Manx herring quota could quadruple over three years – bringing a herring industry worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and a langoustine quota potentially worth far more. I must thank DEFA fisheries officers and the MFPO, which has been instrumental in this very positive outcome, and the UK government for taking our unique position into account.’

DEFA has made an additional £150,000 available to fishing businesses wishing to diversify and those interested should contact the MFPO, which will be responsible for managing quota alongside DEFA, by emailing iomfishermen@manx.net.

David Beard, CEO of MFPO said: ‘It is excellent news and tribute to the hard work undertaken. For many years the Manx fleet has relied solely on king and queen scallops for their income, but these are seasonal fisheries and there are periods when neither is fishable. The new quota will allow a number of Manx boats to diversify into the new fisheries which will be managed sustainably.’

The Manx herring season will run from July to the end of the year.

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