gill nets

[fishfinder]

thats why I think we need a quick response number the amount of times Ive seen netting around blyth pier

[willywetegg]

As I said before Alan we may make some mistakes on the way but, if these people find that there are plenty of people trying to help them and not waste their time then we may get a result.
I find it always helps to get a name from the person you speak to as it is more likely they will act on the call.

Jim.

[alan]

The nets you see over the summer are legal but there was some tied to the pier last year but only for a short while

[alan]

Good point Jim,I\'m just a bit scepitical thats all,\"tip offs\"

[fishfinder]

they would be the nets I seen alan the guy come right in ...if its not them its jet skiers we have to have some kind of boundries

[fishfinder]

I think the environment agency needs to be seen to bee doing more I have only ever seen them out and about once and they were looking for bass midweek mid day at the beacons

[alan]

thats about it Paul,Mon to Fri

[willywetegg]

To the best of my knowledge I have NEVER seen anyone. I have certainly never been aproached by anyone and as I fish an area where Bass can be caught I find it surprising.
I wouldn\'t be looking for Bass at the Beacons at any time of the week.

Jim.

[alan]

theres not many government funded bodies work unsocialable hours

[TC]

I\'m working now............3:00am........lol

Is there such a thing as a \"fast response\" as far as DEFRA are concerned???? Chances are the netters would be long gone before anybody showed up.

I appreciate what you say Jim - about the more who report such things , the more action might be taken - but having worked in Local Govt for 28 years......I doubt it would prove to be a fast enough response......BUT.....I hope I\'m wrong.

[Doc]

Apologies for the slow response over this, very busy at work and unfortunately that comes first (sometimes!!!!).

With regard to the placement of static nets (gill nets), within the NESFC boundaries they have to be outside the 10m depth contour, if they are inside at this time of year they are illegally set. I\'ll try and get the mobile number of the new area 1 nesfc officer, he is apparently very keen and since taking up his post he\'s taken more prosecutions than the other areas put together. However, it should be noted that the NE does suffer more than any other area from unlicensed netting, it seems that quite a high proportion of people with private boats do set their own gear, more so than any other area.

The EA do tend to work only Mon - Fri, and the problem is exaccerbated when they have very few staff, who have little marine experience and for the major part are totally tied up with salmon and sea trout and or FW issues. Whilst they have warranted officers, their remit is not particularly directed at marine enforcement, that is usually the role of NESFC officers and the SFI or new marine agency.

Pauls point about boundaries around piers and jettys/harbour walls is an excellent one, and something that is well worth discussing further. I had hoped that it could be one of the issues discussed at a meeting with the NESFC, as it was an issue raised by Terry Wood (I think but could be wrong) at Gateshead however, the response so far to the idea of such a meeting has been luke warm.

The issue of response times is a difficult one, the information has to be called in first hand, not taken from someone who heard it from his brothers, uncles, son-in-laws sister. The fisheries officers will only act on duff information for so long, then they\'ll tend to ignore it. The right numbers need to be called, with specific locations etc, a phone call 48 hrs after the event will be no good. I\'ll try and put up a list of the relevent numbers by area. The DEFRA numbers are probably not a good first point of call, as much of their work is related to outside 6 miles, inside this its the NESFC.

Sean, I know exactly who you mean (Harvey), he\'s an ex-Brid trawler skipper, he currently holds a salmon licence and is legitimate. There is nothing in the regulations that state he has to return any fish other than salmon or sea trout, basically he can retain whatever he catches as long as it is within the MLS. The disappointing thing is that the flatties were probably either flounder or dab and as such they will end up as pot bait for one of his friends in Brid, which is a total and utter waste if they are still alive, however, if dead then I guess they will come to some use, better than just left lying on the beach for the ****ehawks.

Sless the number is the NESFC head office in Bridlington, although its a Hull code. A good starting point during working hours and possibly a good contact to get the area 1\'s mobile or contact number from.


Chers for now I\'ll post numbers ASAP


Doc

[fishfinder]

Cheers doc much appreciated

[willywetegg]

Thank\'s very much Doc.

Jim.

[alan]

Thanks Doc,
Aye Tony you must need a holiday or a P.A

[sless]

thanks for that doc