lobster pots

[flathead]

Walked the length of the pier yesterday i couldnt believe how many pot dans there were, they start before the first gate and go all the way along to about 10ft out from the small wall on the end. there is no gaps whatsoever all the way up, they are all over on the outside as well. i know there has allways been a few but this is crazy its no wonder theres bugger all left out there!!!

[codonly]

flathead, if you have a look in shore angling issues you might find this aint just happened, its been going on far to long and needs to be sorted out at the regional nfsa meetings.yes i know we need to attend to do such stuff so dont start bleeting on about lack of support at these meeting cos it is difficult with work and stuff

[sless]

yours truly has mentioned this
but nowt happened

[flathead]

i know these lads have to make a living, or are most of them just doing it for beer money! but the answer to poor catches isnt simply to chuck more pots out to get the stragglers this just ensures the place is a barren desert. its ironic bcos i cant remember in thirty odd years of fishing this area there being so many, at a time when everyone with half a brain knows stocks are at an all time low. i dont know what if any regulations there are to control these blokes other than size limits, can they simply put out as many pots as they can carry, it would certainly seem that way!

[sless]

i bet not one penny goes to the tax man
the bloke who operates out of boaties
scotty or somthing
i dont think he has landed a sizable lobster in his life
he keeps them even when they are the size of a prawn

[TC]

This article appeared in the Shields Gazette on Friday, 5th May:-

PINCHING LOBSTERS WILL LAND YOU IN HOT WATER
A MAJOR crackdown on illegal fishing is being launched next month along South Tyneside\'s coastline.
The get-tough measures, unveiled by the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee (NESFC), are being brought in to protect thousands of undersized lobsters being poached from the sea and sold on.
The north east has become a hotspot for illegal fishing, and crunch talks were recently held ahead of the lobster season – between the NESFC and the justice system – to clamp down on the practice and preserve future stocks.
David Nugent, NESFC fishery officer, said: \"Lobsters are big business. Last year alone in the north east – South Shields down to the Humber – the industry was worth £4.4m.
\"And by poaching undersized lobsters, it can boost a fisherman\'s profits as the small ones can be sold for between £1.50 and £3 each.
\"It is an easy money-making scheme, especially when you are talking anything from around 100 to 300 being caught a day.\"
The exact details of the scheme are still to be finalised, but under the Sea Fisheries Act 1966 it is illegal to land and sell lobsters where its carapace – the length from the back of it\'seye socket to the middle of the back – is less than 87mm.
The bylaw protecting lobsters was brought in to help preserve stocks.
Experts say that taking lobsters before they reach full sexual maturity could affect the future of the industry.
Mr Nugent added: \"While lobsters can start laying eggs from 66mm, it is only when they get bigger that they are more productive.\"
The operation, scheduled to be introduced next month, aims to target those who continue to poach undersized lobsters as well as those operating illegal lobster pots.
Mr Nugent said: \"The north east is the worst area by far for illegal fishing. But while we do have a grip on it, we haven\'t conquered it – this is going to be the year.
\"We have held a number of meetings with magistrates and barristers and the whole justice system is clamping down. The small fines will soon be a thing of the past.\"
In future, any fisherman caught with illegal hauls could have equipment confiscated, and shopkeepers who sell illegal stock could also be prosecuted.
Alan Smith, of R&A Seafoods in Frederick Street, South Shields, said: \"It\'s illegal to sell undersized lobsters, so a lot of the fishermen are selling straight from the boat, which is taking custom away from the shops.
\"Not only that, they are also depleting lobster stocks for future generations.\"

By LISA NIGHTINGALE
lisa.nightingale@northeast-press.co.uk
05 May 2006



I t was accompanied by another article...................

[tony.codling]

Here\'s a picture of my eldest daughter Chloe and her friend Sam,
getting a lobster down the rocks the other week.
I\'ve got nothing to worry about, I dont take undersize lobster\'s
and I dont take hen\'s either.

[RobAdair]

Nice picture of our Sam that is Tony

[tony.codling]

Aye rob I forgot, his mother is your cousin.
Sam loves fishing, I have to have someone in the street that will
listen to my fishing yarns

[RobAdair]

Does his dad still not come around and take them fishing?

[tony.codling]

Yes he does now and again, but the grandad takes him mostly.
When he\'s been fishing and caught a whitie or mackerel, he brings
it straight round for pot bait.
But the middle one Ben does nowt but whinge, so he gets no
education about the rocks.
As for Alex, he would just dive in for them he might be 3 but he\'s
fearless

[zippie]

the Uboats couldnt get near the pier with the amount of dans out there!! could understand if there was millions of lobsters but more pots must surely less lobsters now and in the future.whats happening about conservation?.