Calls to help protect marine life

Rare Risso's dolphins live in the waters off the Isle of Man

Wildlife enthusiasts in the Isle of Man are calling for a three-mile wide protection zone to be established around the island's coast.

Surveys have shown the island to be one of the world's most important sites to see rare Risso's dolphins as well as minke whales and basking sharks.

The island's waters boast a good food supply which attracts marine life.

John Galpin from the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch said he was in talks with the Manx government about such a zone.

"The Isle of Man government is responsible for the area up to three miles off the island's coast so we are asking for a protection zone to help sustain fishing and shellfish stocks as these encourage marine life to remain," said Mr Galpin.

"It is very rare for Risso's dolphins to be seen anywhere in the world, let alone so close to the shore as around the Isle of Man."

Mr Galpin also wants the practice of scallop-dredging to be outlawed within three miles of the coast because of the damage dragging the nets does to the sea bed.

"The Isle of Man has very important spawning grounds for herring but dredging just destroys everything in its path," he said.

"We need to fish in a much more sensitive way so that we sustain our stocks and retain the wonderful biodiversity we have."