The island’s Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture held discussions with his counterpart in the Scottish Government last week.
Richard Ronan MHK met Richard Lochhead MSP, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Wednesday.
Under discussion were their respective fisheries strategies – the Isle of Man’s ‘Future Fisheries’ and Scotland’s ‘Inshore Fisheries Strategy’ – which were published in 2015.
They also looked at the Isle of Man and Scotland’s mutual interest in securing a sustainable queen scallop fishery in the Irish Sea, which is important to the economy of both countries.
The island and Scotland are among five Irish Sea fishing jurisdictions that are signatories to a Fisheries Management Agreement that governs Manx territorial seas.
Both are represented on the Queen Scallop Working Group, which is examining ways of ensuring the long-term future of the fishery amid declining stocks.
Mr Ronan also briefed Mr Lochhead on progress being made on ‘Food Matters’, his department’s strategy to grow the value of the Isle of Man food and drink industry by £50 million.
The pair identified areas where their countries can work together to improve their respective food sectors’ profitability.
Mr Ronan said: ‘The Isle of Man and Scotland share a common interest in safeguarding and growing fishing and food, traditional industries that are of great importance to our economies today.’
‘It was beneficial to sit down with our nearest neighbour and discuss progress and exchange ideas on these subjects.’
Mr Lochhead said: ‘There are many cultural and historical links between Scotland and the Isle of Man and I was pleased to have a productive meeting with Minister Ronan.
‘We discussed a number of issues of mutual interest including fisheries and food and it was helpful to be able to discuss progress and developments.’