Campaign highlights ‘gear wars’
A vessel seen in the SFA video.
Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) called for more to be done protect the vessels in their fleet and the oceans.
In a campaign video, the SFA highlighted the issues which are plaguing fishermen, their vessels and marine life, which they call gear wars.
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— Shetland Fishermen (@ShFishermen) August 28, 2023
Comments on the SFA post on social media show the frustration of people who have joined the fishermen’s association to call for the authorities to act.
Bob Marsh
Be interesting to know by Shetland Times story follow up, just how MCA Scotland responded at the 30/8/23 meeting with SFA Lerwick participants and reports of serious incursions and actions of unapproved foreign flag boats in Shetland waters, as highlighted in the SFA video.
Seems there is a failure by MCA, SEPA, and the Scottish government in ensuring adequate patrolling of Shetland waters by air and sea, indentifying intruders, and eliminating them by arrest, fines, gear and vessel confiscation, to ensure lawful requirements being adhered to.
All commercial fishing boats should carry trackers, regularly report catches, be visible on marine map websites via satellite or shore bases, to enable real time monitoring and identification of lawful activities. If this is failing as reported, must be due to lack of resources, personnel to monitor and challenge, equipment to identify, aircraft or patrol vessels overview and effect prompt action where necessary.
Are additional resources necessary, if so what and where. Who should be actioning this on behalf of Shetland in particular, waters. The Scottish Marine Directorate and Director of Marine Scotland being the responsible body/person, must acknowledge what is not happening and take action, to promptly address the situation being commented on.