'Minister Muir cannot drag his feet on this issue' - Calls for reversal of Manx visa rule change
Calls have been made by DUP Agriculture spokeswoman Michelle McIlveen for the DAERA Minister to urgently meet with representatives of the local fishing industry to discus Manx legislation which has resulted in a number of Northern Ireland trawlers being unable to fish in Isle of Man waters.
The Isle of Man authorities now state that a vessel with a crew operating under a transit Visa or a UK Skilled Worker Visa cannot fish commercially in Manx waters otherwise the owner of the vessel will be committing an offence.
The rules mean that to work in the Isle of Man you are required to have an Isle of Man Visa and to obtain a work visa in the Isle of Man the business must be an Isle of Man business.
"Due to challenges in hiring a local crew, 70% of those working on Northern Ireland vessels are overseas workers,” Miss McIlveen said.
"The implementation of these rules will in effect remove all Northern Ireland vessels from fishing within 12 nautical miles of the Isle of Man despite having purchase permits to fish there.
“Our vessels have been fishing these waters for generations and it is extremely important for the fleet in terms of scallops and nephrops.
"This is a devastating blow for an industry already under extreme pressure.
"This change has come without consultation or advance warning”.
The minister added that “this appears to be another phase of the fishery protectionism from the Isle of Man Government”.
"I had raised previously about exclusion zones being imposed on spurious environmental grounds,” she said.
“Minister Muir cannot drag his feet on this issue’ – .
"I have written to the Minister to outline this issue and asked for action to press for a reversal of this action.
"He needs to stand up for our fishing industry.
"I have also requested that he meets with industry representatives as a matter of urgency.”