A series of marine reserves around the Isle of Man would boost the island's fishing industry, the agriculture and fishing minister has said. Phil Gawne MHK said there was significant interest in the idea.
He said studies of marine reserves around the world revealed that fish stocks in surrounding waters became more healthy.
The plan would also encourage the growth of wildlife and marine life in protected areas.
He said: "Many of the studies in different areas of the world have shown that where you have marine reserves the fish catch obviously drops initially.
"But very shortly afterwards the catch in the surrounding waters grows and within a few years the catch is actually higher than it was without the marine reserve."
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