Illegal net still a danger to divers
AN ILLEGAL fishing net which almost killed a diver four months ago has still not been removed despite posing a threat to human and marine life, campaigners have said.
Douglas Allen, co-owner of the Aquanauts Diving Centre, said it was only a matter of time before a diver became entangled in the net and died.
He said countless sea creatures, including a seal pup, had been killed after being ensnared in the net, near the green buoy opposite the Waterfront Restaurant,
"It's disgusting," he said. "The net was discovered in January when a diver became trapped, but fortunately he cut himself free after 20 minutes.
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"Afterwards he went back to take pictures of all the dead animals, including the seal pup.
"We were doing diving operations in the area last week and the net was discovered again."
Mr Allen says he is now desperate for the authorities to lift the net before it kills someone.
"It's like putting a wire across a road when a motorcyclist is coming," he said. "There must be someone who can do something about this.
"It should have been sorted in January and it has been left to kill lots more sea animals. If we don't get it up we're going to lose a diver."
It is an offence to trawl or use fishing nets within Plymouth Sound, with fines of up to £1,000 for anyone caught. Mr Allen says the owners of the net must have been fishing illegally, but were scared off when it was found.
"Whoever put it down there did it deliberately to kill and catch indiscriminantly," he said. "They left it when the story came out in January."
Wildlife campaigner and experienced diver Dave Peake said he was outraged that the net had yet to be taken away, calling it a massive threat to human and marine life.
"I was very surprised when I heard the net was still there," he said. "It's a ghost net, still taking marine life and fishing for ever.
"Something needs to be done. If the net was in Central Park catching deer there would be an outcry."
A catalogue of marine wildlife could be killed by the net including bottle-nosed dolphins, basking sharks and porpoises, he said.
"Two years ago a sea horse was spotted in the area where the net is and this is a very rare sight for Plymouth."
There appears to be confusion over which organisation has a duty to remove the net.
The Queen's Harbour Master said it was the responsibility of the Environment Agency, but this was denied by agency press officer Mike Dunning.
"We're only legally obliged to move nets three metres down and this one is 10 metres down," he said. "We're still trying to find out who's best placed to take the lead on removing it.
"We're aware that the net is still there because some divers have contacted us. We tried to remove it in January but it was in deep water and the equipment we used, a grapple hook, wasn't up to the job because of what was caught up in the net.
"We need a winch or lever."
Comments
by Mark Prior, Crownhill
Monday, April 27 2009, 12:08PM
“You may all rest easy in your sea beds. Plymouth Sound diving club grasped the nettle - and net - and we recovered it to prevent it killing any more sea life. We are no eco warriors but actions speak louder than words.
Always happy to help, rather than moan !”
by Keith Hiscock, Plymouth
Saturday, April 25 2009, 5:13PM
“Plymouth Sound Dive Club (a Branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club based at the Mount Batten Centre) removed the net on Friday evening 24th April. I located it and marked one end and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and efficiently my club members cut it into sections and sent it up to the cover boat on lifting bags. Now we have a significant pile of netting to dispose of! The net had several fish in various stages of decomposition, the putrified body of the seal and the remains of a cormorant, but fortunately no divers.”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 9:55PM
“Also the net's ILLEGAL so maybe the police should get involved?”
by Taxpayer.com, Plymouth
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 8:07PM
“It is a sad reflection on our Nanny state that no-one has the b alls to sort this in half a day.
We have a net that is potentially dangerous to a human and extremely dangerous to numerous animals. So whats the answer?? Its a toughy but I think we need to move it.
Fair enough, the EA have a small fast RIB for inshore anti-poaching patrols so who else could we ask?
What about the massive Plymouth Marine Laboratory vessel moored on the Barbican? Certainly in their interest and capability and with a boat like they have, a 10 minute job!
Whoever is in charge of shipping / waterways within the Sound (I presume the QHM) needs to pull their finger out and get busy delegating. I bet it all comes down to whose budget gets the hit. Its hardly a bank breaker so get on with it.”
by Keith Hiscock, Plymouth
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 7:50PM
“I dived the site on Thursday 16 April, came across the net, mentioned it at my dive club (Plymouth Sound BSAC) Committee on Monday and we determined to undertake a search and recovery exercise weather etc. permitting and of course providing we can safely pull the net in. All of this we have, of course, agreed with the deputy QHM. It was in my conversation with the deputy QHM that I was informed of the sighting by Aquanauts, so a bit of 'doubling-up'. Keep your fingers crossed for favourable conditions Friday evening.”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 7:50PM
“Okay i've just sent off a bunch of e-mails to various sea life protection groups, Greenpeace and Downing St to try to get some action going here”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 3:40PM
“Quote-"The Queen's Harbour Master said it was the responsibility of the Environment Agency, but this was denied by the agency"
Come on Plymouth Harbour Master do the job yourself and don't wait on the agency any longer, the people of Plymouth and environmental groups everywhere will back you up.
"When you're in command, COMMAND!"- Admiral Chester Nimitz”
by John, plymouth
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 2:17PM
“Nice example of passing the buck around. None of the authorities ever take any responsibility and we now just have to wait until something or someone gets injured. It happens all the time . Last month I found a dozen discarded syringes beside a (fairly remote) public footpath used by some (dog)walkers, horseriders and even local kids play there sometimes. I reported this to the South Hams twice now and no-one can be bothered to clean it up (and no I will not collect them myself - thats what I pay taxes for).”
by Bill, Plymouth
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 1:38PM
“Nothing will get done until this net causes the death of a dolphin, porpoise or some other marine mammal. Then all the tree huggers would be up in arms, organising protests/marches through Plymouth, because, lets face it, if a human being was killed they wouldn't care, but if an animal of some sort met an untimely end, then stand by and watch all hell break loose.”
by Rhetorician, Plymouth
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 12:31PM
“Fully agree with Kenny on this one if its in your way get some gear and cut it up and make it safe - people these days don`t know how to help themselves.
You`d be the first to maon if the authorities put a massive exclusion zone around it for your own safety.
Or would that be a Catch 22?”