Have you watched Seaspiracy yet? As it’s one of the top-10 most watched films and programmes on Netflix, chances are that you have.

It’s shocking stuff, portraying a fishing industry full of giant industrial vessels that scrape every living thing off the seabed, use nets which indiscriminately hoover up a range of species it doesn’t even want, and uses slave labour in the processing of seafood.

Even if you take the expose with a pinch of salt - and it has been heavily criticised for misrepresentation and distorting the facts - it’s damning stuff.

It echoes attacks on the meat industry, highlighting the practices of huge factory farms which no one would wish to defend but ignoring the fact that in many places, the Isle of Man for one, both the fishing and farming industries are very different and have their own, very much more sustainable and high welfare tale to tell.

We asked Dr David Beard, chief executive of the Manx Fish Producer Organisation, to describe to us the fishing industry as he knows it on the island.

’With the effects of global warming the world has never been more aware of the need to protect and improve the earth’s environment.

’The marine ecosystem is a vital part of this process and the Isle of Man is leading the way in how marine resources such as fish and shellfish can be harvested in a sustainable way.

progressive

’We are indeed fortunate that we have a fishing industry that is progressive, innovative and science-led with fishing vessels landing high-quality products as well as acting as research platforms, collecting data for future management on a daily basis through the use of smartphone apps. This is supported by a group of scientists from government and Bangor University who provide advice on stocks and on future fishing plans.

’Within the inshore three-mile zone of the Territorial Sea, there are a total of 10 Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs), which provide protection to over 50% of this vital area. These are designated to protect key environmental features such as horse mussel reefs, sand banks, eel grass, as well as beds of scallop brood-stock.

’In the fishing area outside the MNRs and in the wider 3-12 mile zone, the Manx fishing industry carries out annual high-resolution surveys which, after scientific analysis, provides data not just on the harvestable portion of the fish and shellfish stocks but also on the juvenile, future stocks.

’The Manx Fish Producers Organisation, which represents the majority of the Manx fishing industry, favours efficient, targeted, fishing activity with reduced sea-bed disturbance and a commitment to a sustainable marine environment.

’The extensive surveys and smart phone Apps provide the data to allow this to happen.

’For the scallop stocks, fishery management plans are set each year with a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the season, a maximum daily or weekly catch limit and fishing limited to 12 hours a day.

’Weekly analysis of the catch data allows for reactive management and areas are closed if catches fall below certain levels. This ensures that fishing is efficient and the sea-bed impact is minimised.

’There are no comparable management methods in the rest of the UK.

’Minimum landings sizes (MLS) are also set at the highest levels in the whole of the UK. For example, for stocks such as whelk the MLS is set at 75mm within the Territorial Sea - this compares to 45mm in the majority of UK waters.

’These measures ensure that there are breeding populations and sufficient juvenile stocks remaining in the sea.

’There are also limits on the number of pots per fishing vessel that can be used for lobster, Brown crab and whelk.

’Again, much of the UK has no comparable management methods. Co-management with experts from industry, science and government are key to this approach.

’The Manx public can therefore be sure that by eating locally caught fish and shellfish they are supporting sustainable fishing practices which protect the marine environment.’