After just recieving a press release from my local sea fisheries committee about the seizure of a an illegaly set net containing up to 20 fish some individualy up to 8lb in weight, some were returned but there was fatalities and this year being one of the best years for specimen mullet i have had for a long time, imagine how i felt when i learnt were it was set, yes you guessed it right along the very same bay where i caught and released these magnificent sporting creatures.

It makes me sad to think that possibly my seasons best 6lb++ fish and my nephews 7lb++ fish was a casualty of these moronic toerags who set this net i am very angry and i am going to personaly mount an investigation and try and get the local paper to print an article on it.

the sfc has retained the net for evidence and i am going to ask if i can get a picture of it to give to the local rag, maybe they already know who done this if so i am going to kick up such a stink that these bas*ards get the biggest fine possible, no let off warnings with this one, if i can help it.

Now to my question leon or whoever? on your sacn site i found this, Some areas have regulations against the setting of ‘fixed engines’ (ie gill nets), designed to protect migratory salmon and sea trout (dealing with the depth that the net is set. Salmon & Sea Trout tend to run high in the water, so the headline of the net needs to be deep enough to allow the salmon and trout to pass safely over the top of the net. That makes it impractical to set nets close to the shore).

We have this byelaw here, but my problem is this, does it only apply to nets being set by boat and does it apply by the setting of the net by foot if you know what i mean, ei, fixed engines=boat only.

Alan brothers who sits on my committee said he will look at it but i know he is very busy with defra meetings (good man) but i want to try and get on top of this as quickly as possible.

ps. i am waiting for the sea fisheries officer to phone, left a message with his secretary but we all know how it is dont we......

Hi Stavey,

It doesn't matter how the net was set.

The term 'fixed engine' refers to the net itself and is arcahaic language where 'engine' means a device, not necessarily a device for mechanical propulsion!

Tight Lines - leon

The regulations that you refer to only refer to the actual net in the water not to the method of setting. I know that from SFC's to SFC there may be some variance in the depth at which the head rope is set in relation to the average(mean) low water mark but the law is as you state to protect migratory fish along the shores edge.
There is no difference in interpratation of the law in the way that the net is set,you could set it by boat, motorised or other ,canoe ,swim with it on your back or wheel it out by wheelbarrow when the tide is out but the end result is still the same, the law covers every application so whoever own the net will probably be getting their collars felt. Always assuming they know whos it is

Sorry I also should have mentioned that none of the above applys if the netter is a holder of the correct licence for salmon and sea trout(not to be confused with the EA rod licence) and that T and J netting is allowed in your SFC area

Cheers lads, i have just got off the phone from the local fisheries officer (wonders of wonders)and he has confirmed exactly what you both have said, shame that this byelaw only applies between march and september, still i know what the score is now.

The good news is, it turns out they caught the guy redhanded so now i will be monitoring the situation to see if he gets stung good and proper, we also had a nice chat about things and a mile net free zone from the beach did not sound to him that far fetched at all in the very near future.

The elements of the Bass Management Plan are:

- Bass Commercial Licences - for the retention of bass.

- Bass Carcass Tags - to cap effort, increase traceability and improve enforcement.

- Bass Bag Limits - to limit the retention of bass by unlicensed fishermen and anglers and to aid detection and enforcement of illegal fishing.
Closed Season - to protect spawning bass when they are vulnerable.

- Increases in Minimum Landing Size - to strengthen the brood stock.

- Nursery Area additional measures and enforcement - to protect juveniles.

- Near-Shore Netting Restrictions - to protect our fragile coastal zones.

Ben Bradshaw has again voiced his support for implementation of the BMP

See: http://www.anglers-net.co.uk/sacn/latest/i...ex.php?view=384

What is vital, to ensure that these recommendations are implemented is active support from as many anglers as possible.

And positive responses to the forthcoming consultations.

See: http://www.anglers-net.co.uk/sacn/latest/i...ex.php?view=366

If you want measures such as a ban on inshore netting , you need to do your bit, and ensure that all your mates do theirs as well.

Tight Lines - leon

No worries there leon, i have taken the posters around the tackle shops and have informed our club members of the consultation in our next club newsletter out next week i am waiting to see whats in itexactly from steve, how are things with the national fishing mags hopefully they will also inform the general fisher public in a big way maybe devote a whole page on it? i am sure norm as got he's finger on the pulse with his excellent monthly.

Norm has been a brick with Sea Angling News.

Sea Angler have accepted some paid ads from BASS, next month's edition will have a BASS ad explaining more about why a 45cm MLS is needed.

Tight Lines - leon

Leon, how much did our beloved Sea Angler charge BASS for these adds?, I would of thought Britains top sea angling mag would be right behind the bass managment plan and run these adds for no charge.
Or are they to be Mel Russes golden hand shake?
Personly I hope so.

sam said; Leon, how much did our beloved Sea Angler charge BASS for these adds?, I would of thought Britains top sea angling mag would be right behind the bass managment plan and run these adds for no charge.

yep agreed there sam, its about time some of these magazines pulled there weight but obviously this is not the case here, maybe they have lately? i dont know because i dont buy them anymore because of these very reasons, if they did contribute and put there hand in there own pockets to do so maybe i might buy a few copies now and then.......