Patrols of the island’s seas are being hit by budget constraints, it was revealed in Tynwald this week.

The fisheries enforcement vessel FPV Barule has a target of 52 annual seagoing inspections, however this figure has not been achieved for years.

FPV Barrule is used by the government to enforce sea fisheries legislation within the Isle of Man’s territorial seas, which extend to 12 nautical miles. She is equipped with a small dinghy which can be launched to allow officers to board and inspect vessels in Manx waters.

The Barrule is also used to gather environmental samples such as sea water, seabed sediment and shellfish and is used on a regular basis by fisheries scientists to carry out monitoring and survey work within the Manx territorial sea to assist in the continuing assessment of the status of local fish stocks.

In his written answer, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Geoffrey Boot, revealed that the closest the vessel got to its target number of patrols was in 2018 when it went out 49 times.

He also revealed Barrule went out 36 times in 2015; 43 in 2016; 30 in 2017; and 47 times so far this year.

He had been asked by Lawrie Hooper (Lib Vannin, Ramsey) how many times it had sailed in the last five years. He said he asked the question after being told by fishermen of their concerns about enforcement in Manx waters.

Mr Hooper told the Courier: ’The series of questions on fisheries was promoted by concerns raised with me by a number of fishermen.

’I get the feeling that DEFA has lost focus on the fishing industry in recent years and this is having a detrimental impact on a long standing and important part of island life.

’The specific concern about the Barrule was that its enforcement activities were limited because of budget constraints (ie that they couldn’t do as much enforcement as they need because they have an inadequate budget).’

Mr Boot’s answer stated that patrols were undertaken on an ’informed basis based on weather conditions, the number of fishing vessels observed as being at sea (via remote satellite technology) and intelligence reports’.

He added: ’Patrols are also subject to budget constraints associated with fuel and maintenance costs.’

The department has a £233,000 budget for enforcement in Manx seas, however the 19-year-old Barrule is becoming more costly to maintain and run.

Mr Hooper said that the vessel sailing an average of less than once a week for the past five years ’seems wholly inadequate’.

Mr Boot has also revealed that ’it is anticipated the number of patrols required’ will increase after Brexit. He said this is ’in order to demonstrate appropriate monitoring and surveillance associated with retained EU legislation’.

However, Mr Hooper doubts this and said: ’This answer says to me that might not really be the case.’