Fishermen told not to rock the boat in Lyme Bay
Fishermen must police themselves
David Sales said that self-policing backed up by the authorities could be successful:
“All these vessels with their sophisticated electronic equipment have all got track plotters on them, so if there was a scolloper out there say in an area where he shouldn’t be, I could take his number and could ring up the chairman of the South West Scollopers Association and say so-and-so is in where he shouldn’t be and he will go and check his track plotter.”
Mr. Portus added that the threat of further restriction motivated dredgers to abide by their agreement: “The eyes of the world are on the area. Basically it’s the threat of losing their livelihood that stops it happening. These fishermen were threatened in 2006 with the complete closure of 60 square miles of Lyme Bay which is a huge area and economically very important to them.”
Listen: Mr.Portus describes the relationship between the dredgers and the authorities. (1min)
Others agree that the policing of fishing regulations has improved, not just in Lyme Bay, but throughout the region.
Listen: David Sales describes the change in attitude towards illegal fishing. ( 1min 16 secs)
But Darren Brown insists that the very nature of the sea makes enforcement difficult: “That’s the biggest problem; actually enforcing it, policing it. It’s not like a policeman can stop you in the middle of the sea and fine you, they’ve got to catch you in port or at particular times.”
No matter how many restrictions are created, whether statutory or voluntary, policing fishing activity will always be difficult.
