As many of you will know last year saw trials of modified T-nets of the Northumberland coast and modified J-nets of the Yorkshire coast. The aim of the modified nets was to allow them to catch sea trout but not salmon. These trials were "successful" particularly the modified T-nets. Consequently the EA have now launched a Consultation into the Potential Expansion of the Sea Trout Netting season. The EA are considering four options:
OPTION 1: Maintain the current beach netting season with no extension.
OPTION 2: Extend the beach netting season on a trial basis in 2020
OPTION 3: Partially restoring the beach netting season for sea trout
OPTION 4: Fully restoring the beach netting season for sea trout.
You can have your say HERE
Where you can find a full report on the net trials and full details of the consultation. We have made a submission on behalf of FFFC but please make your views known bu completing the consulation. The Consultation is straightforwrad to complete.
Briefly, the drift net fishery was closed in December 2018 whilst the shore based T and J net fisheries were closed for salmon, but NOT sea trout, also in December 2018. Although the T and J nets can still operate for sea trout the length of the netting season was reduced at the start of 2019 in order to protect salmon; the actual dates depending on location. Traditionally the netting season ran from 26 March to 31 August but for District 1 (the NE coast), for example, this was shortened to run from 26 March to 31 May. The trials in 2019 with 5 modified T nets took place after May 31st and caught 3342 sea trout and very few salmon. One of these trail nets operating at South Shields, very close to the mouth of the Tyne, accounted for 60% of this catch with some 1991 sea trout harvested.
At this point in time stocks of both sea trout and salmon are in a perilous state and we believe any potential changes must take a precautionary approach and therefore believe OPTION 1 to be the way forward.