The Manx government says that it will ’monitor developments and consider the legislative impact’ of the UK’s decision to withdraw from a fisheries agreement with other countries in Europe.

On Monday the UK’s Environment Secretary Michael Gove has announced the UK’s decision to exit an arrangement that allows foreign countries to fish in British waters.

The convention allows foreign vessels to operate within six and 12 nautical miles of the UK’s coastline. This agreement extends the same rights to fishermen from France, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland to fish in Manx territorial waters (six to eight nautical miles).

The announcement prepares the way for negotiations with the EU over the UK’s withdrawal from the Common Fisheries Policy. It expected that discussions will centre on fisheries access and quotas as the Brexit process progresses.

The Manx government says that very few of the foreign vessels that are permitted to fish in the Isle of Man’s limit actually do so, and the UK’s withdrawal from the London Convention will not change the current fishing patterns of Manx fishermen.

Mr Boot said: ’There will be no definitive answers for the Isle of Man until the UK’s position is determined following the Brexit negotiations. However, it is important to stay close to developments and to promote the island’s best interests. We welcome this opportunity to attend focused discussions around fisheries policy to ensure our concerns are heard and considered.’