Cattewater Harbour Commissioners have recently removed these illegal nets from the River Plym which were deployed by unlit small craft during the hours of darkness.
It is illegal to operate any vessel without displaying appropriate navigation lights, details of which can be found here:
Deploying nets in these waters causes a significant hazard to navigation as do the unlit vessels which have been deploying them. Such nets capture and kill all fish and diving birds such as cormorants that come into contact with them. It is illegal for both licensed fishing vessels and recreational fishermen to fish with nets in this area. Details can be found here:
We ask that the local community remain vigilant around slipways and when by the water’s edge of suspicious activity, for example small craft not having navigation lights or deploying / recovering nets and report any sightings to Devon and Severn IFCA and the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners Harbour Office.
