There is a battle of opinions on whether natural gas extraction or renewable energy is the best way forward for Manx waters.

We recently reported that island company Crogga had been granted a gas and oil exploration licence in part of the seabed in off the east coast - which just so happens to be the same area where Danish company, Orsted, is looking to set up a wind farm.

The Examiner went to Strand Street, Douglas, to ask the public their thoughts on the issue.

’I don’t really like the idea of gas extraction, it sounds detrimental to the ecosystem,’ said Steve Byrne, 29, from Colby. ’Extracting gas sounds similar to fracking out at sea. If they find anything out there it means more drilling, which is worse. Surely there are green methods we could use?’

When we explained that Orsted is looking at the same area, he and his friend Matthew Campbell, 34, from Peel shared the same opinion.

’I prefer wind farming,’ Matthew said.

Steve added: ’I think it’s more sustainable. Gas will run out.’

Caly Roberts, 40, from Ballaugh, said: ’I’m for renewables absolutely. I think in this day and age it’s just so important to protect the environment as much as possible. I’m not an expert, but I think there would be a marine biological impact from extracting gas.

’They’ll need to have a base for those companies. Will that mean more traffic in the harbour? They need to trial tidal power again. Wind and tidal will always be there. Gas isn’t always going to be there.’

Peel residents Jeanette and Stuart Gardner, 49 and 54, said they had no problem with exploration for gas extraction. ’I think it would be good for the economy,’ said Jeanette. ’More information about the exploration once it’s done would be good.’

When told about Crogga and Orsted looking in the same area, Stuart said: ’I think having a wind farm is a good idea.’

Jeanette said: ’I hope the two companies talk to each other. I’m a bit curious how they can do this in the same place. The Department of Infrastructure must have a master plan.’

Rumen Vallev, 23, from Douglas, said: ’The whole of the island is the only place in the world that has Unesco biosphere status and we’re supposed to be looking after it. I’m massively against gas extraction because I feel we should be pursuing other avenues of sustainable means.’

When told about Orsted being given the same area of exploration, he said: ’That doesn’t make sense. Something doesn’t add up here.’

He explained that if he had the choice he would vote wind power, but added that there would be an impact on the environment whatever the case.

’Wind turbines are all well and good, but we need to get the resources and you need to dig the sea bed... so everything we do has an impact. However, if we lessen the impact [overall by having renewable energy] the better it will be.’

Paul Smyth, 50, from Ramsey, said: ’To me it just feels wrong to continue taking resources out of the earth. We should look at greener options, sustainable options without causing further damage to the planet. I wouldn’t be upset seeing wind farms in Irish Sea. I could put up with the aesthetics.’