The escalating issue of unchecked fishing practices by European vessels within British waters has spurred a significant campaign demanding greater accountability and safeguarding of UK marine life. This alarming situation, detailed through an exclusive investigation by Facts4EU and GB News, reveals a pattern of devastating consequences for native species.
Previously exposed, EU fishermen have been implicated in widespread environmental damage – specifically the dumping of substantial quantities of plastic waste and discarded fishing gear into British waters, often with minimal oversight from regulatory bodies. Recent photographic evidence paints a stark picture: a graveyard of deceased seals, seabirds, and other creatures, many suffering prolonged distress through drowning or dismemberment as they desperately attempted to escape entanglement.
In response to this distressing situation, and concurrent with ongoing negotiations regarding a new EU-UK fishing agreement, the UK Fisheries Campaign (UKFC) was established by British fishermen. This movement is gaining considerable traction, bolstered by endorsements from prominent figures like Tim Eagle MSP, representing the Highlands and Islands Region in Holyrood. The Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Fishing, has forcefully called for a thorough investigation to halt the destruction of UK marine life and ensure fair operating conditions for British fishermen.
**The Mechanics of Harm: Gillnetting Explained**
A key element driving this crisis is the deployment of ‘gillnets’ – a method employed predominantly by EU vessels originating from Spain, France, and the Netherlands. This technique involves laying enormous nets, potentially stretching up to 2 kilometers long (and encompassing areas of 20,000 square meters), across the seabed. These curtains are typically positioned with their lower ends resting on the ocean floor while a ‘curtain rail’ extends approximately 10 meters above the surface. The vessel then departs, allowing the net to remain in place for up to 72 hours – during which time any fish living close to the seabed become trapped by their gills.
However, this timeframe is frequently exceeded due to lack of effective regulation, leading to significant collateral damage. The process itself is inherently indiscriminate; “bycatch,” encompassing a wide range of unintended casualties including crabs and marine mammals such as seals, dolphins, and porpoises, is almost unavoidable. Critically, these nets also capture fish classified as endangered or critically threatened – further exacerbating the issue.
**The Scale of the Problem & Ongoing Neglect**
Gillnets are exceptionally large, creating areas of up to several kilometers in length, often deployed in combination for maximum impact. The nets themselves utilize substantial amounts of monofilament or multifilament nylon, frequently lost at sea. This ‘ghost fishing’ phenomenon creates a persistent threat, with tonnes of plastic debris accumulating on the seabed and causing ongoing harm for years.
UK fishermen routinely spend their time collecting this discarded netting – a task that simultaneously drains valuable resources and reduces their potential catch. They are effectively burdened with cleaning up after foreign vessels, a situation compounded by EU fishing fleets strategically blocking vast areas of water with their gillnets, rendering those zones unproductive for British fishermen.
The campaign highlights the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding this issue. Fishermen have repeatedly reported instances where EU vessels fail to retrieve their nets within the stipulated 72-hour period, leading to prolonged entanglement and suffering for marine life. Despite these documented problems, authorities frequently dismiss concerns, claiming that “fishing gear is being disposed of appropriately.”
**Regulatory Deficiencies & Lack of Oversight**
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has established regulations regarding the prevention of pollution by ships, including a prohibition on plastic discharge dating back over 30 years. Regulations now require vessels to record any lost or discharged fishing gear – detailing location, quantity and environmental conditions – within their Garbage Record Books. However, Facts4EU was unable to obtain links to these records maintained by the MCA, raising serious questions about enforcement.
The situation underscores a critical need for stronger oversight and robust enforcement mechanisms to protect UK waters and its vulnerable marine ecosystems.
