The company which stocks the island’s reservoirs has chosen not to renew its lease of the government-owned fish farm at Cornaa.

Troutlodge currently stocks the island’s six reservoirs with rainbow trout as part of a lease agreement, which expires on June 1 this year.

US based Troutlodge Inc, owner of Glen Wyllin Trout Farm Ltd, has confirmed its Glen Wyllin trout farm operation is also ’under discussion’.

In a statement, the company said it has informed the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture about its decision not to renew the lease of the Cornaa fish farm at Maughold.

It said: ’The company currently leases the government’s fish farm and as part of this agreement restocked the island reservoirs each year with trout for angling in March to October.

’The Cornaa farm, complete with stock for 2020, 2021, and 2022 restocking seasons will be returned to DEFA on the lease end date.

’The current lease on the Cornaa farm expires on June 1, 2020.

’Both parties will work together for a smooth handover and continuation of the excellent angling resource on the Isle of Man.’

The company added: ’The future of the Glen Wyllin operation is under discussion at the moment as a result of production efficiencies at our other Troutlodge facilities.

’Our rental agreement with the government specified the volume of fish to be restocked, and that Cornaa farm will be returned to the government with a full inventory of stock.’

Lease

In a statement, DEFA said Troutlodge has committed to honour the terms of its lease agreement, which require it to leave trout at the hatchery to stock reservoirs until 2022.

A spokesman said: ’The Cornaa farm, complete with stock for the next three seasons, will be returned to Government on June 1 and both parties will work together for a smooth handover so that anglers can continue to enjoy fishing in the island’s reservoirs.

’The government wants to reassure local and visiting anglers that all reservoirs will be stocked as usual for the forthcoming season, which opens on March 10.

’Options and plans are currently being considered for how to continue the stocking for future seasons.’

The then Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry signed an agreement with American company Troutlodge over the Cornaa fish hatchery in 2010.

The department has owned the Cornaa site since 1972.

High quality rainbow trout are reared there for stocking to Manx reservoirs for recreational angling.

Some 20,000 trout are stocked by DEFA each fishing season with a record fish of 20lbs 2.25oz captured in January 2009. Troutlodge, based in North West USA, is one of the world’s leading producers of salmonid eggs. It acquired the Glen Wyllin Trout Farm in 2007.

Troutlodge’s island operation produces up to 50 million fertilised eggs for export to multiple continents in the winter months each year.