Cruising Association rolls out Lobster Pot Campaign materials to help improve safety at sea
by The Cruising Association 2 Oct 10:00 BST
The marine community across the UK is being invited to help spread the Cruising Association's Lobster Pot Campaign message by displaying and distributing new campaign flyers and pick-up cards.
The new materials are the latest step in the Cruising Association (CA) and its campaign partners' national efforts to raise awareness of the dangers posed by poorly marked static fishing gear and encourage more boaters to report sightings and entanglements.
The A4 and A5 flyers and pocket-sized pick-up cards are available free of charge and are designed for display and distribution throughout the marine community, including sailing and yacht clubs, marinas, harbour offices, chandleries, yacht brokers and training centres.
Marked Gear = Safe Gear
Marked Gear = Safe Gear is the campaign message at the heart of the campaign. The CA is calling for existing MCA voluntary guidance on gear marking to be made mandatory and enforceable.
The Lobster Pot Campaign is pro-safety - it is not anti-fishing. The issue is not fishing itself, but unsafe marking practices that put all water users at risk. Responsible fishermen, sailors, motor cruisers and regulators all share an interest in ensuring static fishing gear is clearly visible and safely marked.
Through its Manifesto, evidence gathering and collaboration across the marine sector, the campaign is working to raise awareness of the issue, identify where incidents are occurring and build the evidence needed to support change.
Building the evidence for change
A key priority is encouraging boaters to report sightings of poorly marked static fishing gear and entanglements through the Royal Yachting Association's Fishing Gear Incident Reporting Form.
Since September 2025, the RYA has published anonymised reports and an interactive map showing where incidents are occurring. Over the 12 months to September 2026, 50 entanglements and 107 sightings of poorly marked static fishing gear were reported, with two minor injuries to crew recorded.
Every additional report strengthens the evidence base, helps identify locations where problems are occurring and contributes to a clearer picture of the scale of the problem.
Marine community invited to get involved
The Lobster Pot Campaign invites the marine community to help broaden its reach by displaying and distributing the new campaign materials.
Whether it is a flyer on a yacht club noticeboard or marina office wall, or a supply of pick-up cards at a harbour office, chandlery, training centre or marine event, each display provides another opportunity to raise awareness and encourage boaters to report what they encounter on the water.
To request free campaign materials, email , stating how many A4 flyers, A5 flyers and pick-up cards you would like, together with your mailing address.
A digital version of the flyer is also available to download, print and display.
The Lobster Pot Campaign is led by the Cruising Association in partnership with the Royal Institute of Navigation, Westerly Owners' Association, Practical Boat Owner and Yachting Monthly.
The campaign has also received support from organisations including the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), UK Harbour Masters Association (UKHMA), Royal Naval Sailing Association (RNSA), MDL Marinas, and the British Ports Association (BPA), as well as sailing personalities including Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Mike Golding.
Every flyer displayed and every pick-up card distributed helps raise awareness, encourages reporting and strengthens the evidence needed to support safer waters for all.
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