Quote:
| Originally Posted by David Pye Sounds good to me!
Though, personally, I'm a bit critical of the 'double standards' marine reserves, like the one at St Abbs and Eyemouth, where I as a diver am not allowed (well, it's voluntary, but try it and you'll get lynched!) to bring up crabs/lobsters, but the lobster-pot men aren't included, and are allowed to put out their pots etc as they wish.
I did question the local National Trust lady, and her argument was that as the fishermen were traditional, it was fine. I'm sure the lobsters are greatly heartened by that! |
Generally, if it's "No-Take" here, then it's No Take, with gear confiscated and fines imposed.
This MPA has several zones, so there'll be varying levels of permitted activities; the "very high" level of protection will be zero take; I'm not sure what the rest will be, as the full document is over 200 pages and it's pretty long winded.
I guess in the St Abbs example, there may be an argument that the lobster potting is sustainable, if it's controlled, whereas here, most amateurs have a pot too and those areas close inshore get a real hammering - it's actually unusual to see a sized cray in those areas now, whereas when I visit out of the way spots (not often, as they're out of the way), or previous MPAs, we find crays in much larger numbers and sizes.