Good job to.
Oct 27, 2009 11:44:38 GMT -1
Post by SEAJUNKY on Oct 27, 2009 11:44:38 GMT -1
www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/cornishguardian/home/cornishguardiannews/Illegal-net-seized-Fowey-estuary-swoop/article-1452200-detail/article.html
Illegal net seized in Fowey estuary swoop
Monday, October 26, 2009, 13:38
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A MASSIVE illegal fishing net which could threaten fish populations was seized in a swoop by the Environment Agency in the Fowey estuary.
More than 40 fish – the majority of which were dead – were discovered in the net which stretched across the entrance to Pont Pill, a creek upstream of Polruan.
Two men seen in a dory type boat nearby were questioned by officers.
Environment Agency officer Rob Hocking said: "This was a flagrant disregard of local fishing byelaws. The rules are in place to safeguard fish stocks and prevent over-exploitation. "Once they are in the estuary it is important salmon and sea trout are protected to help ensure as many fish as possible can migrate upstream to spawn.
"A net of this size could catch a large number of fish and be particularly damaging to local fish populations."
Officers were on a joint patrol in the agency vessel Mor Teg, when they discovered the net stretched across the creek.
Measuring about 360 metres, it contained a number of fish including 28 mullet, six bass, four dogfish, a pollack and a flounder – 10 of the mullet were released alive. The remaining fish had either been trapped in the net for so long or were injured and couldn't be saved. Fowey's harbour master Cpt Mike Sutherland said he thought illegal salmon fishing had increased due to the recession.
"We weren't involved with this seizure but we support the EA's actions and work closely with them. If the nets restrict people's rights of navigation we can seize them, but these were illegal fishing nets so the EA dealt with it.
"At the moment the value of wild sea salmon has increased. I think whenever you have periods of recession, people resort to fishing where they shouldn't be and trying to catch fish they shouldn't be catching."
On this occasion, the net was seized under a local by-law that prohibits the use of drift nets in the Fowey estuary between May and December. Fixed nets are banned at any time of the year.
The byelaw was introduced to protect salmon and sea trout migrating up the River Fowey. It also helps protect young bass and other sea fish in the estuary at this time of the year.
The EA has been working with the police over the past 10 years to crack down on marine crime and illegal fishing, particularly in the Fowey and Looe area.
Illegal net seized in Fowey estuary swoop
Monday, October 26, 2009, 13:38
Comment on this story
A MASSIVE illegal fishing net which could threaten fish populations was seized in a swoop by the Environment Agency in the Fowey estuary.
More than 40 fish – the majority of which were dead – were discovered in the net which stretched across the entrance to Pont Pill, a creek upstream of Polruan.
Two men seen in a dory type boat nearby were questioned by officers.
Environment Agency officer Rob Hocking said: "This was a flagrant disregard of local fishing byelaws. The rules are in place to safeguard fish stocks and prevent over-exploitation. "Once they are in the estuary it is important salmon and sea trout are protected to help ensure as many fish as possible can migrate upstream to spawn.
"A net of this size could catch a large number of fish and be particularly damaging to local fish populations."
Officers were on a joint patrol in the agency vessel Mor Teg, when they discovered the net stretched across the creek.
Measuring about 360 metres, it contained a number of fish including 28 mullet, six bass, four dogfish, a pollack and a flounder – 10 of the mullet were released alive. The remaining fish had either been trapped in the net for so long or were injured and couldn't be saved. Fowey's harbour master Cpt Mike Sutherland said he thought illegal salmon fishing had increased due to the recession.
"We weren't involved with this seizure but we support the EA's actions and work closely with them. If the nets restrict people's rights of navigation we can seize them, but these were illegal fishing nets so the EA dealt with it.
"At the moment the value of wild sea salmon has increased. I think whenever you have periods of recession, people resort to fishing where they shouldn't be and trying to catch fish they shouldn't be catching."
On this occasion, the net was seized under a local by-law that prohibits the use of drift nets in the Fowey estuary between May and December. Fixed nets are banned at any time of the year.
The byelaw was introduced to protect salmon and sea trout migrating up the River Fowey. It also helps protect young bass and other sea fish in the estuary at this time of the year.
The EA has been working with the police over the past 10 years to crack down on marine crime and illegal fishing, particularly in the Fowey and Looe area.