Lobster pots in fishing area

Went down to the 'boat safe' in Rosslare Harbour this afternoon to do a bit of makerel bashing off the rocks at the back of the boat safe. Good place for mackerel, quite a few fish off there in recent weeks. A young lad who was fishing there was snagged in lobster pot ropes about 20ft from the rocks, he was dangerously close to the edge and leaning over trying to unsnag the line. Tried to give him a hand freeing it, but no joy and had to cut his line. Gave him some more feathers as he had no spare one's. When the tide went out a bit, and with the clear sea today could see lines off ropes connecting pots the whole way long, all about 20ft from the rocks.

I mean, this is a fairly popular fishing area for young lads and locals. The piers have been off limits for a few years now, this area is the main deep water area from the shore. Can the lobster pot owners who have the whole rest of the sea around this area not show a bit of consideration to locals who might want to fish off there?. Even leave a 40 yard length of this area clear of pots for people to fish into. Going to find out who is on the boat owners committee down there and have a word with them about it. The sea should be a resource for all to enjoy, not just for a few to exploit. Made me really angry today!!.

Well Andy how are things,

Was actually down in the safe myself there today for a boat competition.

Anyway , those pots are very close to the rocks alright, we often get caught in the ropes when trying for conger off the rocks, but sure what can you do as they say.

If its any help there is plenty of macks being caught off the point of rosslare at high water, and its not only from the rocks their being caught ; but also from the beach part of it too so it would be handier for the young fellas.

Hi Danny,

The boat safe if handy for young lads, getting to the point without a car from the Harbour is a bit of trek, and dangerously narrow roads to be cycling on to Rosslare Strand from Tagoat. As said, don't need to ban pots from the whole area, but they are very close to the rocks and the whole way along, looks like a rope connecting them together also. Would it be too much to ask for a 40 or 50 yard stretch along there which is clear of pots?. Will see what a committee member from the boat safe will say after I speak to one.

How did the competition go?

Caught that rope myself once but thankfully I had an 80lb shock leader on so I tugged it in, freed my rig and decided not to "salvage" the single small crab from the pot. We should all share the resource including the gent who sticks his pots there but it looks like he is only interested in his gain over and above everybody else that uses the facility. As previously stated if each pot was independent of each other then there would be no issue but hey, he is making a fortune selling strings of feathers - used once - on ebay

Hi Danny,

The boat safe if handy for young lads, getting to the point without a car from the Harbour is a bit of trek, and dangerously narrow roads to be cycling on to Rosslare Strand from Tagoat. As said, don't need to ban pots from the whole area, but they are very close to the rocks and the whole way along, looks like a rope connecting them together also. Would it be too much to ask for a 40 or 50 yard stretch along there which is clear of pots?. Will see what a committee member from the boat safe will say after I speak to one.

How did the competition go?

ts also a great spot too for doggie bashing a long the 'beach' past the west arm of the safe.
Seen some monster mullet in there today too

It was a grand day out, we had a young local lad on board with us, spent most of the day helping him out and giving him tips etc, he even picked up a prize at the end of it, which made his day , delighted for him.

Im burnt to a crisp tho !

I got ran out of the safe about 2 years ago, by three old Codgers who reckoned no-one should be down there except fishermen & boat owners and all that bull....
I firmly believe those pots are there for a reason - and the reason ISN'T lobster or crab...!
(Amazing how they are 'right in the way')

the pots in this area are used for catching shrimp - the best chance of shrimp is to have the pots as close as they can to the breakwater, thats why they are so close and thats why they wont move them

Will be speaking to a boat safe committee member this evening. Will see can the area from the back of the security guard hut to the end of the rock jetty be left free of pots, that will still leave them a long stretch from the new pier to the back of the security guard hut.

I'd like to see one of those old codgers try telling me I have no right to fish there 'like what happened to security man', my family have been living in this area since the first houses were put up in Rosslare Harbour village a long time ago.

Funny seeing this article as I was wondering the same thing on Saturday night when I brought a young lad mack bashing. Two of us lost feathers off the pier in minutes with bloody pots. There seemed to be loads of them. I cast out a bit from them and got snagged and then a guy told me that they are all linked underneath with ropes. So really the whole west side of the pier is unmackable (if that's a word?). It's probably the best or safest spot for kids to go fishing!!!

Needless to say I was bulling

how did you get on with the committee i would think it was well outside their remit as the pots are outside the safe

the pots in this area are used for catching shrimp - the best chance of shrimp is to have the pots as close as they can to the breakwater, thats why they are so close and thats why they wont move them

They are actually crab/lobster pots - I know for a fact, because we hauled one out one night to see (a slash-hook and a rope, after loosing 4 sets in a row!). Needless to say we put a surprise in the pot and chucked it back. Plus they were all inter-connected!
These Codgers don't own the sea, and in my view have no authority whatsoever putting pots on the outer side of the breakwater...
Maybe someone with more time on their hands could look into this in more detail..... I'm sure with the planning regulations in this country for buildings, there must be something for the sea also, where you can't just go around and drop pots 'willy-nilly' wherever you feel like it in the sea...

how did you get on with the committee i would think it was well outside their remit as the pots are outside the safe

I hope they are.... if thats the case, they could be 'removed' by anyone also!...
(Who fancies a bit of 'Pot-bashing', seeing as the macks are over?)