Traps targeting illegal fishing

BBC NEWS

10th November 2005

Traps are to be set up on the seabed off the Isle of Man to deter illegal fishing, the government has announced.
Eight 2m "tank traps", designed to tangle fishing equipment towed across the seabed, are being laid down off Port Erin.

Specialist divers from Port Erin Marine Laboratory are being called in to install the traps.

Peter Karran MHK, member for fisheries, said the area has an "extremely valuable" population of scallops.  The traps should protect the scallop beds.

'Short-sighted'

He added: "It is sad that we have been forced to divert funds from the fisheries development budget in this way, but the department is determined to protect the area.

"We cannot allow a small number of short-sighted individuals to endanger the project.

"The closed area enjoys widespread support from the fishing industry and could be responsible for ensuring the sustainability of some Manx scallop beds."

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is urging anyone who sees illegal fishing to report it to them.






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