Basking shark ©Alex Mustard/2020VISION
Marine Protection in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man - Marine Protected Areas
Since 2018, the Isle of Man has designated ten Marine Protected Areas around its coast designated as Marine Nature Reserves, covering 10.8% of Manx waters and 51.8% of their 0.3nm marine territory.
Risso's dolphin ©Eleanor Stone
Queen scallop ©Amy Lewis
Moon Jellyfish ©Paul Naylor www.marinephoto.co.uk
Harbour Porpoise ©Niki Clear
Manx shearwater ©Chris Gomersall/2020VISION
Marine Nature Reserves
In late 2011, Ramsay Bay and the Ballacash Channel were designated as the first Marine Nature Reserve for the island. The designation followed an extensive public consultation and had the support of the Manx fishing industry. This Marine Nature Reserve offers greater protection to three internationally threatened habitats: horse mussel reefs, maerl beds and eelgrass meadows.