Lobster Pots petition: Cruising Association praises constructive Government response
by Peta Stuart-Hunt 22 Mar 2018 06:30 UTC
The Cruising Association is successfully highlighting the dangers to small boats of entanglement in unmarked lobster pots and static fishing gear © Guy Brown
The Cruising Association (CA) has welcomed the Government response to its petition 'Lobster Pots and Small Craft Safety - time to change the rules!' which recently closed with 10,770 signatures.
"This signals change, and for the better. Government is now 'looking at areas in which the enforcement of regulations can be enhanced' but is also open to, and interested in, the identification of other potential solutions," commented Judith Grimwade, Cruising Association President.
The Cruising Association campaign, which has gathered support not only from the boating community but also from a wide-ranging group of stakeholders, will continue. In particular, the CA will press for the setting up of a consultative body which brings all of the stakeholders together, including the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, preferably under the auspices of one of the government agencies.
As the sailing season gets underway, the Cruising Association urges everyone to report incidents to them at as well as to the RYA online reporting scheme at:
www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating/look-after-yourself/Pages/fishing-gear-incident-report-form.aspx
The Cruising Association's Campaign video, introduced by Tom Cunliffe, can be viewed here: