New code of fishing conduct for bays

Nov 6 2009 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

A NEW code of conduct has been launched to improve conditions for static and mobile fishing in Luce Bay and Wigtown Bay.

It has been created after consultation with many interested groups including members of the Galloway Static Gear Fishermen’s Association, scallop boat skippers who work in the area and local business people.

Marine Scotland, local harbourmasters and fishery interests from as far afield as the Isle of Man, have all made a positive contribution.

A spokesman for Solway Firth Partnership said that with static and mobile fishing taking place in close proximity, incidents of gear conflict do arise from time to time and that the aim of the code, is to find practical ways to minimise this problem and provide a forum for balanced debate on measures which can help to support improvements.

John King of Kirkcudbright based West Coast Sea Products said: “The commercial fishing sector in Scotland is facing a wide range of pressures. The last thing we want is to create further pressures within the industry if this can be avoided.

“Fishermen and business people in the south west want to show that we can lead the way by demonstrating a responsible and co-operative approach in our working arrangements.”

Andrew Lochhead of Galloway Static Gear Fishermen’s Association said: “There are livelihoods at stake here. There needs to be give and take on both sides and getting all interests together in the way we have can only help.

“We were pleased by the turnout at our pre-season meeting this year and we intend to keep aiming for improvements year on year.”

The code has intentionally been made as simple as possible and has been distilled to five points covering key actions needed from both sides:

1. Scallopers will give prior notice of intention to start working in the area to appropriate static gear contacts

2. Scallopers will not start working a new area before 8am

3. Static gear will be clearly marked with brightly coloured buoys or dhan flags

4. Static gear ropes will be kept as short as possible

5. Non fishing static gear will not be stored on the seabed

The number of principal static gear contacts has been reduced to try to make the system as straightforward as possible to operate.

Copies of the code are now available at harbours around the Solway as well as the Isle of Man, Wales and Northern Ireland from the Solway Firth Partnership.