isleofman.com search for an isle of man business | find a residential number | site search local visitors business Home | Business Sectors | Agriculture & Fisheries Agriculture & Fisheries The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture carefully regulates and monitors all food production, to ensure that the Island maintains it's reputation for quality. The Isle of Man is developing a quality reputation for its own produce, particularly, cheeses, seafood, beers and ice creams. Food production is carefully regulated and monitored by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA). DEFA encourage a responsible attitude to farming and fisheries. Farming The total agricultural acreage (including rough grazings) is around 113,000 acres or 80% of the land mass of the Island, with agriculture basically a mixed farming industry. The agricultural livestock population mainly comprises cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry (eggs and broiler production). Traditional mixed and small scale farming is still prevalent but in decline. Instead, there are continuing trends towards specialist and larger scale agricultural units. The Manx climate favours grass production and so dairy farming is the most important sector, followed by beef and sheep. Rough grazings remain as natural or semi-natural grassland used for extensively grazed flocks and herds. A considerable range of combinable crops are possible in the more suitable arable areas, but seasonal market demand still necessitates the importation of some green vegetables and salads. The Island has an international reputation for its low animal disease status, with no record of a major epidemic diseases having occurred (which other countries accept as commonplace). Cheese, together with beef and lamb, are the main agricultural exports with about half of total production exported - primarily to the UK. Other commodities exported include livestock, cereals, seed potatoes, wool, horticultural produce and flowers (especially roses). Fishing Scallops and the related but smaller queen scallops (queenies) are economically the most important species and the mainstay of the Manx fishing fleet. A significant quantity of locally caught crab/lobster and scallops are also exported, mainly to European destinations. The Island is noted worldwide for the Manx kipper, produced from the summer/autumn herring fishery. However the fishing grounds around the Isle of Man also yield a variety of other species which are valued by both commercial and leisure fisherman - notably cod, sole, skate and plaice. Conservation of stocks is a priority of the Department, and over-fishing of some species has resulted in the introduction of closed season restrictions, catch controls and minimum size restrictions on scallops, herring and whitefish species. Inland, the Department maintains a freshwater fish hatchery and produces both brown and rainbow trout to stock the Island's rivers and reservoirs. The future of the unique Manx Salmon strain is also safeguarded, not only by collecting eggs from the spawning stock and nurturing them prior to release, but by mounting patrols to combat poaching. Acknowledgements: DEFA, whereyoucan.im Food and Drink Festival The inaugural Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival took place in 2009. Manx Agricultural Show The Island has 2 main agricultural events each year; the Royal Manx Agricultural Show and the Southern Agricultural Show. Agricultural News We bring you all the latest news from the Island's agricultural and fisheries sector. Directory Click here to view our full Business Directory. Business Sectors Agriculture & Fisheries Food & Drink Festival Manx Agricultural Shows Agricultural News Directory Copyright 2017 © Manx Telecom Contact Us Email Terms & Conditions Manx Telecom Trading Ltd, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan, Isle of Man IM99 1HX Registered in the Isle of Man Reg no.5629V VAT Reg no GB 003-2919-12 We use necessary cookies on manxtelecom.com websites to provide session functions e.g. account logins, baskets and content searches. These cookies are typically removed when you close the browser. We use performance and functionality cookies to help analyse website performance and usage. Finally some of the 3rd party services we use (e.g. embedded YouTube videos) implement targeting cookies to personalise content. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of these cookies on your device or you can select "Manage Cookies" to manage your cookie settings. You can find out more by viewing our Cookies Policy Manage Cookies Allow All Cookies