Island to collaborate with Northern Ireland on fishing 

A 'mutual understanding' of issues surrounding fishing in the Irish Sea has been established between the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. 

That's according to the Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister who met with his Northern Irish counterpart this week.

Geoffrey Boot hosted a visit from Michelle McIlveen - the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs - with areas of potential collaboration discussed. 

He says fisheries are a 'traditional and economically important industry' for both places and there is a common interest in managing and better understanding fish stocks to ensure sustainability. 

The Northern Irish Minister says she's keen to learn from the Isle of Man's initiatives on scallop broodstock areas with a view to establishing similar initiatives locally.