Is any fixed net illegal?

[fenitbob]

Is any fixed net illegal? I was out fishing in Fermoyle Kerry a few weeks ago. A tourist told me that he had seen a man bring a net down to the water and put it out. he pointed out the mans 4WD vehicle. He was obviously watching the net until the tide covered it. The tourist asked me if this was illegal I said it was and that I would contact the sw Fisheries board (Which I did).

My point is the beach was not empty. plenty people saw this person there is something wrong with the enforcement system when people are as blatent as this.

What should I have done?

[John D]

I'm not 100% sure but I think they're all illegal.

You did the right thing contacting the fisheries board.

John D.

[Bradan]

AFAIK any net fixed at one or both ends is illegal - known as a fixed engine for some reason. Always contact the fisheries board if you see this - as soon as possible

[fenitbob]

thanks for that :D

thats the second one I've seen in the area this year

I'm a bit peed off to be honest.

[teacher]

Thanks for clearing that up. I also wan't sure.

Another problem is that unless you see the net being set, you can't be sure whether it's a net or 2 pots ...

If there's a particular problem with fixed nets in an area, you could also try contacting the Irish Seal Sanctuary. I saw a seal drown in a fixed net off cahore a while back :( so it's not just fish they kill.

[x]

Teacher's suggestion has merit. Seals, whales, dolphins, birds, not to mention protected species like bass, salmon & sea trout can get caught in fixed nets, so there are no shortages of places to complain to.

However, any fixed net that remains well below the sea surface even at extreme low water would not be considered illegal is it could not be said to be deliberately set for salmon or sea trout for example.

All demersal gill nets used by commercial fishermen for cod/haddock/pollock/ray etc are fixed at both ends and are legal provided they are not set in such a location or manner where they could be perceived as a deliberate attempt to intercept salmonids or bass.

So, there is a definite grey area there in terms of legislation as far as I can see. Another example of why we need a 3 mile limit from the shore where any sort of netting for fish or shellfish would be prohibited. It'd solve a lot of legal and practical problems with enforcement at a stroke.