Netting

Go to Belfast Telegraph, post illegal netting. re local beach.

here is the article: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 60703.html

"...items, including vehicles and nets, were seized..." great news, the more the merrier!
My congratulations to all the authorities involved, well done! Keep up the good job!

Thanks for posting the details Austrian. I wasn't sure how to post it .Fully agree with your comments. "Thanks again."

Hope they get a bloody great fine as well

"...the matter is now subjudice and we cannot comment further.”

so it seems, only the outcome of the case depends on further assessments e.g. proof, more legal proceedings, witness hearings etc. and - above all, the judges verdict at the end - tbh, I don't hold my breath

but anyway, it is an improvement at last and it is brought to the attention of the public by media reports and here on site, so please report ANY suspicious activity whenever and wherever you might encounter them, to the relevant authorities and, as I've mentioned it before, it is in OUR interest and it's OUR DUTY to preserve the angling-sport and the survival of healthy, indigenous stocks in this beautiful country we have the privilege to live in

Not to mention in the interest of our own children and grandchildren and for many future generations to come

Last but by no means least, I would love to see JUST ONE precedented case acknowledged, which then could be used as a base for future incidents, leading to easier, less bureaucratic - and in effect for the taxpayer, less costly convictions for per se "offenders" - I am just not sure if I live long enough to see that day

"...the matter is now subjudice and we cannot comment further.”

so it seems, only the outcome of the case depends on further assessments e.g. proof, more legal proceedings, witness hearings etc. and - above all, the judges verdict at the end - tbh, I don't hold my breath

Justice has to take its course, there's a fair procedure that everyone is entitled to. Just be patient.

Last but by no means least, I would love to see JUST ONE precedented case acknowledged, which then could be used as a base for future incidents, leading to easier, less bureaucratic - and in effect for the taxpayer, less costly convictions for per se "offenders" - I am just not sure if I live long enough to see that day

Only previous convictions for similar offences by the same defendant can be mentioned in court, or it would prejudice their defence. As for costly, well if the defendant is convicted usually they are fined and costs are awarded against them. A recent case in Galway resulted in a €400 fine but almost €1400 in costs.

Thank you Bradan for making it clear, this was precisely what I tried to express in the above posting, obviously you are an expert in legal matters and I am sure the majority of us here are most grateful for any help and advice
What, in your opinion would be the most effective way to proceed when you have a definitive lead of proof or suspicion regarding the matter of illegal netting or poaching?
I am sure, most of us encounter these activities in the pursuit of their hobby and are just gob smacked by the fact that some individuals just walk all over rules and regulations or simply do not know how to react in a civil and acceptable manner without endangering themselves.

Thank you Bradan for making it clear, this was precisely what I tried to express in the above posting, obviously you are an expert in legal matters and I am sure the majority of us here are most grateful for any help and advice
What, in your opinion would be the most effective way to proceed when you have a definitive lead of proof or suspicion regarding the matter of illegal netting or poaching?
I am sure, most of us encounter these activities in the pursuit of their hobby and are just gob smacked by the fact that some individuals just walk all over rules and regulations or simply do not know how to react in a civil and acceptable manner without endangering themselves.

If you have definitive proof then it should be an open and shut case, but it has to be taken by the relevant authorities, either the regional fisheries board, Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, or another body if it is in NI or cross-border. Contact them as soon as you observe illegal fishing, and ask for a fisheries officer to investigate urgently. If the fisheries officer is there to witness illegal fishing and can ID the people involved then they can take a case. They can still take a case if the evidence is strong enough and there are other witnesses who are prepared to give testimony in court.

For down South.
My take on this is that in general netting is legal once the boat is registered.
Where corks appear on the top of the water during the salmon season there is no problem once that boat has a licence to fish for salmon. The only problem here is his accidental catching of Bass
Out of season it is prohibited from using a net that will float from the surface.
Sadly on some of the East Cork beaches netting is wide spread and sadly the type of net they use is legal but it will catch Bass because of the nature of its design.

Bottom nets will float about 20ft form the sea bed but when these nets are put down during spring tide, in shallow water, these net will float to the top of the water thus killing all fish in that area
Tied in a handy "who's who" link
It’s in Excel format so a "ctrl+f” search will work. Just watch as some boat registrations has have no space in between the letter and the number

i.e. if W11 fails, add a space between the letter and the number, try W 11

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thanks for that dd, very handy info

For anyone who likes pictures of boats here's a link to a few pictures.
http://www.trawlerphotos.co.uk/gallery/ ... hp?cat=661

For any Salmon anglers reading this take a look at the pictures in the Salmon net vessels section,some lovely Salmon in there.

Not all nets that we see are illegal some nets could be in place to target Mackerel or Herring.We do share our waters with the commercial fleet and the majority of them do play by the rules but there will always be a few who don't.