Drift net "WARNING", Souter to Seaham?

Macka

Macka

Well-known member
There has been a notice put up on the gates at Sunderland Marina stating that 3 trawlers with drift nets will be working between Souter & Seaham over the next few months, cant remember if it stated over 500 "feet" or "metres" of nets would be used but either way am i right in thinking that it will have a negative effect on us?

It named the boats & gave the VHF channel they'd be using, might be worth posting & obviously keep an eye out for them.

I'll try to get a pic of the notice next time im down, unless someone can get one on sooner?

Obviously they need to earn a living, supply customers with fish etc so im not on a rant, just worried that its gonna kill our fishing & safety wise thought all members should know as its displayed on the gate to the pontoon but not on the slipway :)
 
They are drift netting for Salmon and Sea trout, nets are shot for around 45 minutes then hauled.
Because these nets are floating drift nets they do not target the bottom dwelling species we catch.

They fish from the 1st weekday in June to the last weekday in August.

The only danger they may incur for boat fishermen is if a pleasure craft runs into there nets at speed causing a sudden halt and potential damage to boat or engine.

A little bit of common sense from boat anglers would be all thats needed to avoid any problems, i was fishing off Seaham last week and had a drift netter just next to me.

Generally the drift net is 600 yards, they will have a dahn end on one end of the net and a buoy on the other, nets are shot east to west, also the boat will generally sit on one of the ends of the net, shouting of them on the radio and asking which end he is on will give you enough info that you can avoid his net.

These boats only operate during the week, drrift netting for salmon and trout is prohibited on weekends...
 
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Interesting (and reassuring) to know how they operate, thanks for taking the time Falcone. Will keep my eyes open so don't go over there nets.
Geoff
 
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