Alderney fishermen want 10-metre fishing restriction
Wednesday 11th August 2010, 11:30AM BST.
GUERNSEY fishermen fear being banned from some Bailiwick waters.
The president of the local fishing association, Dougal Lane, is worried about the consequences of talks over territorial access, although Alderney fishermen say that if restrictions were introduced, Guernsey fishermen should be protected.
Plans are with the Defra, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, over a new licensing regime in the three- to 12-mile limit around Guernsey after consultation between the island, Sark and Alderney.
Details of the licensing scheme have not been released, but Alderney fishermen Ray Gaudion (pictured) and Pierre Dupont believe a 10-metre limit on vessels would protect stocks and have urged Alderney States to bring in new laws.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Good luck, let’s hope your politicians and law makers do a better job of protecting your natural resources and sustaining the maritime heritage than the bunch who let it slip past them in Guernsey. We lost the 12 mile limit just because they wanted to stick two fingers up to Jersey. Years later and despite depleted stocks and an EU armada of trawlers parked in our waters, still no progress here to push beyond the paltry 3 miles and protect a resource that, managed correctly, would boost commercial fishing and tourism.
Report abuse
Carts is absolutely spot-on. Around these islands there should be a 12 mile exclusive zone where only islanders, or tourist fisherpersons taken out by islanders, can fish. Beam trawling and other types of fishing destructive to the sea floor and net types that entrap everything should be banned. If fishermen in Cornwall (BBC evening news a couple evenings ago) can devise selective nets, there is no reason we can’t. The penalties for violators should be severe enough that the culprit won’t ever do it again and others will take note and stop too.
Report abuse
Are we sure a 10 Meter limit is going to be effective? 33 feet does not seem very far to me….
Report abuse
Hello
I agree
I also find it strange watching the History channel when they’re going on about battleships with six inch guns
Report abuse
Does Alderney suffer from visiting charter boats? There used to be one or two that would “visit” Guernsey to refuel, but most of the dosh from the anglers would end up in Portsmouth.
Nets can be selective, but fishermen generally need to be forced into using sustainable methods.
This isn’t always the fault of the local fishermen – they have a living to make and generally get the same price for a bass as the pair-trawling hoovers.
Maybe a law stating boats over ten metres can only fish under sail, using traditional bio-degradeable gear, would help. It’d be picturesque, at least!
Report abuse