[matchman]

We are now entering the time of year that the cod, bass and soles start to come closer to the beach to feed, also the time of year that the gill netters, legal and illigal, start to place there nets nearer the shore for obvious reasons. Over the course of the last few weeks more nets than i can remember have been placed between Seabrook and Sandgate, Obviously disgruntalled anglers have got the hump and contacted the fisheries dept. Well I had a had an interesting morning today ,watching the goings on of our Fisheries Protection Agency. They entered the bay at Hythe in a newish looking grey 'cat', anchored up about half a mile of the Murco garage on Princes Parade then sent a 2 man crew in an R.I.B. to investigate ALL the nets that had been placed, they were obviously happy with what they found as they did not take any nets away.
So they you have it, they do take notice when We complain about these nets, and I guess that if the nets are found to be legal by the agency involved checking nets ,then we will just have to change our fishing methods to more suitable ones, ie long casting with short snoods and a lead lift or shorter casting.

 

[Dover Shark]

So they you have it, they do take notice when We complain about these nets, and I guess that if the nets are found to be legal by the agency involved checking nets ,then we will just have to change our fishing methods to more suitable ones, ie long casting with short snoods and a lead lift or shorter casting.

I'm pleased that they do take notice of us shore anglers, not that i fish near netted beachs for obvoius reasons but i've taken an interest in less well known locations for abit :fishing1: i guess thats adapting to the situation.

 

[foxy52]

We are now entering the time of year that the cod, bass and soles start to come closer to the beach to feed, also the time of year that the gill netters, legal and illigal, start to place there nets nearer the shore for obvious reasons. Over the course of the last few weeks more nets than i can remember have been placed between Seabrook and Sandgate, Obviously disgruntalled anglers have got the hump and contacted the fisheries dept. Well I had a had an interesting morning today ,watching the goings on of our Fisheries Protection Agency. They entered the bay at Hythe in a newish looking grey 'cat', anchored up about half a mile of the Murco garage on Princes Parade then sent a 2 man crew in an R.I.B. to investigate ALL the nets that had been placed, they were obviously happy with what they found as they did not take any nets away.
So they you have it, they do take notice when We complain about these nets, and I guess that if the nets are found to be legal by the agency involved checking nets ,then we will just have to change our fishing methods to more suitable ones, ie long casting with short snoods and a lead lift or shorter casting.

....tks for the infos m,.there u have it !!! most of the time shore anglers will be banging their heads on the shingle in frustration !!nothing can be done about it !!!..i can think of more than 1 kentish mark i fish in winter where its possible to cast over the nets when set !!!.....sods law if u fish a spot clear of nets and a hour later along they come to intercept fish bound for our baits !!!....put up or move on..thats all u can do eh ???? foxy52

 

[DonBobo]

....tks for the infos m,.there u have it !!! most of the time shore anglers will be banging their heads on the shingle in frustration !!nothing can be done about it !!!..i can think of more than 1 kentish mark i fish in winter where its possible to cast over the nets when set !!!.....sods law if u fish a spot clear of nets and a hour later along they come to intercept fish bound for our baits !!!....put up or move on..thats all u can do eh ???? foxy52

I know the mark you mean, in fact I should say marks due to the length they net.

In a way it makes you value more the marks they cannot net for certain reasons. I'm lucky to have such a place nearby if my usual spots are netted.

 

[Sam-Cox]

Can someone please explain to me what an illegal net is??? Is it any net set where local buy laws state no netting? Is it an net being used that isnt using the correct sized mesh? or is it just any net that has been set in front of anglers?

 

[yakker]

Can someone please explain to me what an illegal net is??? Is it any net set where local buy laws state no netting? Is it an net being used that isnt using the correct sized mesh? or is it just any net that has been set in front of anglers?

Broadly speaking, a fixed net or 'fixed engine' as it is called, isn't against the law, if it complies with local bylaws as to it's mesh size, length etc. However, it must be marked with proper buoys, with a one metre pole, and a 30cm square flag. The buoy must have the owners name, or boat that set it.
If a powered craft set the net, it must have a licence to set the net, and a licence to sell the fish, so any old guy with a boat can't set nets without a licence.
A seine net, set from the shore for mullet or bass etc, can be walked out at low tide, without a licence, and any fish caught can also be sold without a licence!
It's the use of a boat that requires a licence to fish with nets.
That's it very roughly, but it's complicated by different bylaws.
If nets are set too close to a beach, and are a danger to swimmers or small craft, You can complain to the local council on Safety grounds and possibly get them moved out to deeper water or banned off certain beaches.
I think the ones at Hythe could come into this bracket. Might be worth all those anglers doing that instead. I just paddle over the buggers and fish the other side:hypocrite, but did lose two sets of gear once on a net.:thumbdown

Another interesting fact, a trawler under 17 metres can trawl as close to a beach as it can get, and it's legal.

Oh, and not all buoys mark nets, a simple plastic can 'buoy' might be just marking a lobster pot, anyone can set those!

Anglers feelings don't come into it, if something is in the way, we are supposed to fish elsewhere, including a small boat or kayaks trying to land near you. I have to do this sometimes, as when I return, there might be an angler in my launch place, but I have to beach there, as a kayak is heavy up the shingle bank, and it's near my car.
I don't disturb the fish or angler if they just leave their line in the water, I can quietly come in no problem to them at all, then have a chat!

 

[Fishytale]

Couldnt we all start a pertition to change the byelaws so they cant set their nets so close in? :fishing: :huh:

 

[Fisherman333]

On another note, I saw a sign the other day on the Parade saying that from Hythe Fisherman's Beach to Folkestone Harbour will be undergoing beach reshingling from September to October.

 

[Sam-Cox]

Broadly speaking, a fixed net or 'fixed engine' as it is called, isn't against the law, if it complies with local bylaws as to it's mesh size, length etc. However, it must be marked with proper buoys, with a one metre pole, and a 30cm square flag. The buoy must have the owners name, or boat that set it.
If a powered craft set the net, it must have a licence to set the net, and a licence to sell the fish, so any old guy with a boat can't set nets without a licence.
A seine net, set from the shore for mullet or bass etc, can be walked out at low tide, without a licence, and any fish caught can also be sold without a licence!
It's the use of a boat that requires a licence to fish with nets.
That's it very roughly, but it's complicated by different bylaws.
If nets are set too close to a beach, and are a danger to swimmers or small craft, You can complain to the local council on Safety grounds and possibly get them moved out to deeper water or banned off certain beaches.
I think the ones at Hythe could come into this bracket. Might be worth all those anglers doing that instead. I just paddle over the buggers and fish the other side:hypocrite, but did lose two sets of gear once on a net.:thumbdown

Another interesting fact, a trawler under 17 metres can trawl as close to a beach as it can get, and it's legal.

Oh, and not all buoys mark nets, a simple plastic can 'buoy' might be just marking a lobster pot, anyone can set those!

Anglers feelings don't come into it, if something is in the way, we are supposed to fish elsewhere, including a small boat or kayaks trying to land near you. I have to do this sometimes, as when I return, there might be an angler in my launch place, but I have to beach there, as a kayak is heavy up the shingle bank, and it's near my car.
I don't disturb the fish or angler if they just leave their line in the water, I can quietly come in no problem to them at all, then have a chat!

I think its still legal for powered vessels to set nets, they just cant sell their catch. what about charter boats and pleasuer anglers who drift for herrings or mackeral for bait?

 

[cfish]

Can someone please explain to me what an illegal net is??? Is it any net set where local buy laws state no netting? Is it an net being used that isnt using the correct sized mesh? or is it just any net that has been set in front of anglers?

LOL Good point sam,i wouldve thought that its any net set infront of anglers,shame the fisheries didnt check more nets and drum it into peoples thick heads that probably 99 out of 100 nets they see are perfectly legal and above board.

 

[matchman]

I think the threads gone a bit askew ,as usual, I put this info on simply to assure anglers fishing this location ,that the fisheries agency do take notice of calls from anglers concerning inshore netting, and that it was good to witness them actualy checking the nets for legal mesh size, owners identification tags, and compliance with the various regulations governing netting.
This is the first time I have seen this first hand in over 45 years fishing South Kent beach's.
I therefore sumized that in witnessing this inspection ,I could assure anglers fishing Hythe, Seabrook and Sandgate beach's ,that these nets are 'honest' and that We just have to put up with them or modify our normal fishing tactics to suit the situation in front of You.
I did not intend for the thread to deviate as to the various laws and regs reguarding netting ,thats what the fisheries agency is charged with doing, and doing it blo**y well in my book! So 'big-up' the lads in the grey boats-cheers boys!!

 

[Littlestone]

I think the threads gone a bit askew ,as usual, I put this info on simply to assure anglers fishing this location ,that the fisheries agency do take notice of calls from anglers concerning inshore netting, and that it was good to witness them actualy checking the nets for legal mesh size, owners identification tags, and compliance with the various regulations governing netting.
This is the first time I have seen this first hand in over 45 years fishing South Kent beach's.
I therefore sumized that in witnessing this inspection ,I could assure anglers fishing Hythe, Seabrook and Sandgate beach's ,that these nets are 'honest' and that We just have to put up with them or modify our normal fishing tactics to suit the situation in front of You.
I did not intend for the thread to deviate as to the various laws and regs reguarding netting ,thats what the fisheries agency is charged with doing, and doing it blo**y well in my book! So 'big-up' the lads in the grey boats-cheers boys!!

Hi Matchman, thanks for your thread - I took it the way it was intended and am also heartened by what you saw. But, having seen one of the nets in place last week that was set just to the North of the Murco groyne and appeared to stretch between 30yards from the shore and 100 yards out in the direction of France I'm also dismayed as well, but hey, if what they're doing IS legal AND being checked, then all we sea anglers can do is despair and search out other marks - and "big up" the grey boat lads as you say, may they long continue to check like this.

 

[Sam-Cox]

Im thinking of getting 700 yards of 100mil bass netts, these would target bass of 45 to 50cm. These fish would demarnd a better price. I think that setting nets from a rowing boat or steaking them out over the low water is a very substainable way of fishing. Just imagine if all trawling was banned and only gill netting was alowed.

 

[yakker]

Im thinking of getting 700 yards of 100mil bass netts, these would target bass of 45 to 50cm. These fish would demarnd a better price. I think that setting nets from a rowing boat or steaking them out over the low water is a very substainable way of fishing. Just imagine if all trawling was banned and only gill netting was alowed.

Nice joke Sam, but don't forget the bylaws regards net LENGTH lol

 

[cfish]

Im thinking of getting 700 yards of 100mil bass netts, these would target bass of 45 to 50cm. These fish would demarnd a better price. I think that setting nets from a rowing boat or steaking them out over the low water is a very substainable way of fishing. Just imagine if all trawling was banned and only gill netting was alowed.

You would be pushed to haul 200yrds of net on an 8ft rowboat sam,tis ok if its as flat as a millpond and youve not caught any weed but otherwise youve got to be carefull!!! Trust me,i know!!!!!:whistling:whistling:whistling

 

[thornbackflounder]

OH DEAR ,OH DEAR,me thinks CONSERVATION FORUM TALK,we deal in catching a decent fish to take home?or put back?one does for a living ,the other to enjoy

 

[matchman]

Think Sam is well known for his tongue in cheek retorts to the subject of gill netting and commercial fishing, Dont bite lads, its only his way of trawling us up with illegal mesh size!!!

 

[cfish]

Think Sam is well known for his tongue in cheek retorts to the subject of gill netting and commercial fishing, Dont bite lads, its only his way of trawling us up with illegal mesh size!!!

Ive a big problem with sams dad,as i think of him as a total hypocrite,him and rawle banged the bass out whilst moaning about commercial netting,i will say that cox and rawle produce good gear and have good dangling credentials!!!

 

[Sam-Cox]

Im thinking of getting 700 yards of 100mil bass netts, these would target bass of 45 to 50cm. These fish would demarnd a better price. I think that setting nets from a rowing boat or steaking them out over the low water is a very substainable way of fishing. Just imagine if all trawling was banned and only gill netting was alowed.

Hi Cfish
I could easy work 500 yards from a 13ft dingy, I used to work 1500 yds from my mates 17ft asult craft, working the shallows while the main boat worked the deeper water. I have worked several seasons for Nicky Boyce years ago, so know a little about commercial fishing.

Im a tad tong in cheak, but only to provoke healthy debate and maybe get people thinking.

 

[cfish]

Hi Cfish
I could easy work 500 yards from a 13ft dingy, I used to work 1500 yds from my mates 17ft asult craft, working the shallows while the main boat worked the deeper water. I have worked several seasons for Nicky Boyce years ago, so know a little about commercial fishing.

Im a tad tong in cheak, but only to provoke healthy debate and maybe get people thinking.

LOL Did you ever go splashing??? Thats fun,right on the rocks,get hitched up if your not carefull,big swell,pitch black!!!