Marine
Promoting Best Practice for Inshore Fisheries
May 11, 2016 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Fisheries, Marine Directorate general
Gear conflict is a longstanding and complex problem in Scottish inshore waters. While the majority of fishermen from competing sectors co-operate well on a day to day basis, incidents of gear conflict have existed for decades without any decisive action taken by government. When gear conflict occurs it is very difficult for an enforcement body to prove that an offence has been committed. For example, while creel operators may allege that mobile skippers have deliberately trawled through their gear, proving that was their intent has proved impossible.
The Scottish Government, through Marine Scotland, is now looking to address with a suite of measures aimed to enhance reporting and recording to prevent incidents occurring in the first place and to improve deterrence against deliberate acts of gear vandalism and theft.
A previous Marine Scotland consultation explored options such as:
- spatial separation (particularly in known hotspots)
- vessel location monitoring systems
- websites to detail where static gear had been set
- codes of conduct
- administrative restrictions
- the regulation of unlicensed fishermen
Following on from that, Marine Scotland are now seeking views on the draft static gear proposal, specifically the marking static gear within 12 nautical miles.
An online Dialogue page has been set up, allowing you to comment on the views of others and to add your own comments – and we want to know what you think.
Comments will be accepted until the 1st June and then more details on proposals will be published when the comments have been evaluated.
Further Information
- Get involved with the online Dialogue page
- Recommendations on a new policy for gear conflict
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