The minimum size of crabs and lobsters caught in Isle of Man waters will increase in September as part of measures to ensure the long-term future of the fishery.
From September 1, the minimum shell size for landed crabs will rise by 10mm to 140mm (carapace width), and lobsters to 88mm (carapace length) until August 31, 2022, when it will rise to 90mm on September 1, 2022.
The changes come after Tynwald backed proposals put forward by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) in July 2021 to maximise sustainability and profitability.
The proposals were part of a public consultation in late 2020, with the majority of responses being in favour of the changes which will bring the island’s fisheries’ in line with best practice observed elsewhere in the British Isles.
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The updated regulations have been designed to ensure stocks are sustainable by boosting reproductive output and to deliver long-term industry security and economic benefits.
The brown crab fishery was worth about £1.18m to the island in 2018, while the European lobster fishery brought in £600,000.
A new policy will also ensure that commercial licences that are not being used (’latent’) are better managed.
Commercial licences for crab and lobster will only be issued to those who can demonstrate a track record of having fished the species commercially (for at least one day) between 2016 and 2019.
A review process is also in place to handle appeals against any decisions.
A number of changes to how recreational (hobby pot) licenses are handled and renewed will also come into effect, with an annual license costing £10 from July 1, 2022.
Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ’Following the consultation feedback we have introduced several changes to the island’s important crab and lobster fisheries to help secure the sustainable future of the industry.
’Unused licences were highlighted by the industry working group as being the single greatest barrier to developing effective long-term management, so we have developed a policy to address this.
’We have also created an industry forum for this sector.
’It is hoped that, like the Scallop Management Board, it will be effective in developing and recommending further measures that secure the future for this industry and the stocks they depend upon.’
Further details will be published on the Government website before 1 September. Information about the change and criteria for latent licences are set out in the new policy.