Beach Fishermen conflict

Originally posted by Medway Maniac People causing distress or suffering to other creatures for sport deserve all they get. And I've found that towing around 30 metres of fishing line and a hook after an 'incident' doesn't slow you down as much as you might expect . Can wear a groove in the front of your board though...

My father fishes a lot, he keeps clear of sailing areas, but would expect sailors to keep an eye out for him too. I don't agree with your first comment Medway, I find the fish he catches extremly good for my lunch.

Anyone who has ever had a fish hook stuck in their flesh knows how painful it is. The pain is no different for fish. Quote: Dr R. Buwalda, Department of Comparative Physiology, Rijks University, The Netherlands "Fish are no mere reflex-automatons, but animals capable of experiencing pain and fear and influenced behaviourally by experience, expectancies and motivational state in a manner analogous to that in higher animals up to man. "

 What would you think if someone caught a cat or dog with a baited hook, then reeled them in and drowned them? This is exactly what happens to fish in the name of "sport". By no means all fishermen eat their prey, Tom, lots just let them go again.

But fish suffer even if they are released again. Firstly there is the injury caused by the hook. Secondly there is the stress of being removed from the water. Finally there is the damage caused by handling. Fish have a layer of skin and mucous over the scales. This layer is very sensitive, and is essential for the health of the fish, for example, to keep out infection. Damaging a fish's slime coat has been likened to third degree burns in humans.

Some fishing authorities recommend that fish to be released are not removed from the water or, if they are, that they are handled only with wet hands, are only put down on wet material, and are landed only in knotless nets. Such recommendations reduce but don't eliminate pain and suffering. No fish benefits from being hooked and dragged to the surface, no matter how carefully it is handled and released once it gets there.

Surely that gives sailors sufficient moral high ground?

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd    sailors don't have the right to wilfully destroy other people's property.

 

We didn't wilfully drag their lines, I thought we where clear. And I don't actually want yards of line and lead weight, hooks dragging from my centerboard. During an enjoyable Sunday's racing I don't want a confrontation with them either.

 

Their seems to be one or two people who in one breath suggest co-operation of beach users and then suggest  steering clear of the fishermen.......So everyone co-operates except the fisherman who fish where they want, maybe it's time the fishermen (women) realised that they do not own the waterways, beaches of the UK and that they have to co-operate and compromise as well as every one else.

 

Here's a petition that could cause problems for Anglers.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Canoeists/

Same thing here turnturtle.  I grew up in area of commerical fishing.  It was a general rule of thumb to steer clear of the fishing trawlers.  They are trying to make a living, despite being screwed over by the EU.  So steering clear of them was respect.  As for pleasure fishing, its a two way street.  If you respect them, you hope they will respect your sport.

Another thing I gave way to/avoided, were tourist day ferries... because they would run you down.  Enterprise ones were great, they use to steer behind you - great fun surfing the wake.  However the red ferries... well they actually hit a boat a while back.

At my old club some kids ended up with a fishing book emedded in the side of their cadet  Boat covers have also been slashed and there is a strong suspicion that the very high rate of outboard and trailer thefts might also be related.