As per the press communiqué released by Isle of Man Government, Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, Biodiversity Policy Officer at the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) states that the Marine Conservation Society applauds Isle of Man scallop fishermen, and their representatives, for setting up new marine protected areas to the north of the island. These areas will benefit local fishermen, helping to secure livelihoods and the regeneration of seabed wildlife.
The release also states that th Isle of Man was the first location in the British Isles where a zone was set up to scientifically study the effect of a closure on scallop fishing. But it came to an end due to decreasing number of scallop catches in 1980s. In that small closed area, scallop numbers eventually reached 20 times the number found in a control site, and catches increased around the edge of the closed area. As a result, fishermen have come to support these measures, and there are now five experimental sites dotted around isle of Man waters.
It is fact that the seas are exhausted. But marine reserves and protection have incredible value. It is obvious that they work from the extensive science that has proven their positive effect on fish and wildlife. It’s up to all stakeholders to ensure that they are introduced now and into the future.
