freshwater gill netting, legal?

[Martyn]

I know nothing of this,, but I wonder if someone in the know could tell me if gill netting or seine netting is illegal or legal in british rivers?

I know targetting Salmon is illegal, but I believe some people still use nets to catch migrating sea bass. So what is the position with regard to being in posession of a gill net?

 

[Ed]

Illegal to members of the general public, but the EA reserve the right to grant license to certain people (gill nets that is)... normally those doing scientific research or working for the local fishery.... but getting a license just to catch fish.... not a chance.

Some places allow you to fish with a net..... the severn estuary for example has a long tradition of using hand cast nets.... but again a license is needed and only so many licenses are granted every year.

Ed

 

[Ed]

So what is the position with regard to being in posession of a gill net?

Being caught by a baliff near a river / lake / res with a gill net can result in a £300 fine (on average)..... though if you have fish on you that they suspect caught with the net (or by other illegal means), all your equipment can be confiscated and forefit.... including your car which you are using to transport illegaly poached fish!!!

Ed

 

[Martyn]

Being caught by a baliff near a river / lake / res with a gill net can result in a £300 fine (on average)..... though if you have fish on you that they suspect caught with the net (or by other illegal means), all your equipment can be confiscated and forefit.... including your car which you are using to transport illegaly poached fish!!!

Ed

Hmmm, OK, that would seem to require they need to demonstrate some intent, rather than starightforward posession is illegal?

 

[torjusg]

Isn't a few Welshmen still allowed to fish salmon with nets from coracles?

Torjus Gaaren

 

[Martyn]

Isn't a few Welshmen still allowed to fish salmon with nets from coracles?

Torjus Gaaren

From what I can gather, the laws are local bylaws rather than a national thing and yes, I believe you are right.

 

[Ed]

Isn't a few Welshmen still allowed to fish salmon with nets from coracles?

Yep.... but only a few licenses are issued each year, and only on certain stretches of the river (wye i think).

Ed

 

[torjusg]

In Norway the rules are similar as yours on salmon and sea trout, a few have the right to use nets, while most cannot.

On inland trout you can do pretty much whatever the landowner allows you to. At least if there are no additional local rules for protecting big lake trout. Several types of whitefish are also special spawning fisheries on.

There is one rule though (specifically directed at poachers I think):
You cannot spear trout with the aid of arteficial light. An extremely effective method. Sometimes even more effective than netting. Making a quick getaway is easy, just throw the torch in the water and run. Of course noone should try this if it is illegal where you live. In daylight you can use the spear if you want.

Also no dynamite is allowed (luckily), but guns are. There is also a dispute on whether bows and arrows are legal (as spearguns are).

Torjus Gaaren

 

[leon-1]

Ed, we still have Salmon fishing here on the Dart. They are also using nets (I used to work with one of the guys that does it for a living), with him there was some kind of family connection (basically his grandfathers fathers father and all down through the generations have been doing it) and the only people that seem to be able to get a license for it are members of his family.

 

[torjusg]

Ed, we still have Salmon fishing here on the Dart. They are also using nets (I used to work with one of the guys that does it for a living), with him there was some kind of family connection (basically his grandfathers fathers father and all down through the generations have been doing it) and the only people that seem to be able to get a license for it are members of his family.

Some people are just luckier than others...

Torjus Gaaren

 

[Ed]

Ed, we still have Salmon fishing here on the Dart. They are also using nets

Yep, I know... been down myself and chatted to them .... and the coarcle fishermen here in wales on the wye.

Ed

 

[Martyn]

Am I right in thinking that gill netting for bass etc is legal without a licence in the sea?

 

[scanker]

I think they still fish with coracles on the Teifi - about 4 or 6 pairs of licences I think, something like that. There's a coracle museum at Cenarth.

 

[Ed]

Am I right in thinking that gill netting for bass etc is legal without a licence in the sea?

This is to be a local bylaw issue.... in our area, there is a limit on length, where on the tidal area they can be set, length of stakes (visable above ground), how often they have to be staked, and the ends of your nets need to be marked with bouys marked 'NET' with a contact phone number on them....

I'm sure the EA can give you the details of where you can get a copy of your local bylaws.

Ed

 

[Martyn]

This is to be a local bylaw issue.... in our area, there is a limit on length, where on the tidal area they can be set, length of stakes (visable above ground), how often they have to be staked, and the ends of your nets need to be marked with bouys marked 'NET' with a contact phone number on them....

I'm sure the EA can give you the details of where you can get a copy of your local bylaws.

Ed

Thanks Ed.

 

[Ed]

Try here and follow the links for your area for your bylaws
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/246986/255175/271962/?version=1&lang=_e

Ed

 

[Ed]

Sea fishing bylaws for those in wales can be found here by the way
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/wales/450320/450324/1099407/?version=1&lang=_e

Ed

 

[Tony]

Heck, I wish they'd just show a map instead of all those directions

 

[Ed]

Heck, I wish they'd just show a map instead of all those directions

I know what you mean.... it can be a right pain sorting through that lot...

Ed

 

[jdlenton]

what a great load of info guys interesting reading both thread and links :You_Rock_