12 August 2014
Fishermen planning on taking advantage of this week’s spring tide are being asked to ensure they are fully aware of the laws protecting Jersey’s marine life.
This week the big tides will provide optimum conditions for low water fishing. The Department of the Environment are asking all fishermen to make sure they are familiar with the regulations for fishing in the Island.
Convictions
A number of measures from minimum sizes to out of season limits ensure Jersey has varied and sustainable fishing stocks. Failure to adhere to these regulations not only threatens Jersey's diverse marine life but could also lead to prosecution.
Last week two low water fishermen Fernando Ramos Caldeira and Pedro Vieira Franco, were convicted in the Magistrates Court for retaining undersized lobsters and three sized ormers out of season at La Pulente in May 2014
The minimum size for a lobster is a carapace length of 87mm. Most of the lobsters caught were far below this figure. Ten measured between 58mm – 70mm, 5 measured between 71mm – 80mm and 3 measured between 81mm and 85mm. The men had two correctly sized lobsters.
Similarly by fishing for Ormers between 1 May and 30 September they were also in breach of the law.
The men were fined £400 each for the undersized lobsters and £100 each for retaining ormers out of season.
Assistant Director Marine Resources, Mike Smith said “The restrictions are clear and have been put in place to protect our rich and diverse marine environment and to ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by all.
“Hopefully this recent conviction sends a message that offences of this nature are taken very seriously. We are not saying don’t fish we are saying do it responsibly so future generations will be able to do the same.
“I urge people to familiarise themselves with the regulations before setting out fishing”
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