RYA urges sailors to report all fishing gear entanglements
The RYA has launched an online tool for sailors to report fishing gear entanglements. More accurate data is needed to persuade authorities of the danger of poorly-marked fishing gear, it says.
A new online reporting form has been made available for anyone to report incidents in which they have encountered problems with, or spotted, poorly-marked fishing gear, whether they needed to call for assistance or not.
The form can be used by both RYA members and non-members and can include observed entanglements of other vessels. Information required for a submission includes the time and precise location of the incident, a description of the incident and weather and sea conditions at the time. Photos of the gear and subsequent damage can also be submitted.
The RYA said: ‘Data on entanglements is poor and lacks detail. New data is needed to demonstrate the danger of poorly-marked fishing gear to recreational boatss. We need everyone who has experienced an entanglement to complete the form.’
Historical entanglements and observations of poorlymarked gear can also be reported online at: www.rya. org.uk/go/entanglements