Helpful Insight Into Issues Of Static Fishing Gear And Safety Tips

21st October 2024

Hazards relating to poorly marked equipment, and consideration of how these can be avoided, feature in a new report and safety leaflet for fishers.

The Static Fishing Gear Safety Working Group Report 2024 dives into the problems relating to the marking and rigging of static fishing gear (fishing equipment that is set in place and does not move), UK regulations, and what can be improved.

The report was produced by the Static Fishing Gear Safety Working Group, a sub-group of the MCA's United Kingdom Safety of Navigation Committee, which is made up of industry representatives, government representatives and subject matter experts.

The report identifies two main hazards associated with this equipment. The first is the use of floating rope on or near the water's surface, instead of leaded or weighted, posing a risk to nearby vessels with propellers. The second is the failure to use a buoy, or similar, to visually alert other vessels that static fishing gear is in use in the area.

UK and Scottish legislation is considered in the report, and a number of recommendations are made, to improve awareness and visibility of static fishing gear.

A safety leaflet attached to the report provides guidance on best practice for the marking of static fishing gear, and ways to improve its visibility to reduce the risk of entanglement. The simple guidelines are visually presented for ease of use.

MCA Assistant Director for UK Technical Services Navigation Richard Bell said:

This report gives a helpful insight into the issues around static fishing gear and what can be done to mitigate safety risks. There is no overnight solution to the issues raised, but we hope this report raises awareness with a view to improving safety.

Our priority, both here at the MCA and UKSON, will always be the safety of mariners users, and we hope the safety leaflet encourages fishers to follow or maintain best practice when it comes to static fishing gear.

Here you can access the Static Fishing Gear Safety Working Group Report 2024 and the Static Fishing Gear: Design of ends safety guidance leaflet. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/static-fishing-gear-safety-working-group-report-2024