Shipping News No ban likely on killer nylon nets

Press, 19 August 1978, Page 23

Shipping News No ban likely on killer nylon nets

Lyttelton commercial fishermen are said to be in favour of restrictions proposed by the Ministry’ of Fisheries on the use of monofilament set nets and gill nets. The nylon nets are practically invisible under the water, and abandoned nets have been known to trap fish and hold them until they drown and rot off. The net remains, to trap more fish. Some fishermen want a complete ban on the nets, but the Ministrv is not expected to do this. Small-boat fiishermen with fast craft, wanting to handle about four or five tonnes of fish, favour the nets. The Ministry spokesman said most of rhe troubles had occurred because of the improper use of the nets. They should definitely not be cast over rocks, he said. Abandoned nets had been lefi b- fishermen who had to leave a-eas suddenly because of weather and other problems.

Experiments have been done in the United States with special, time-release submarine buoys. The buoys are set to rise to the surface after a specified time, to mark the whereabouts of the net. The use of natural biodegrad■able fasteners between the nets and floats is also being investigated. The fasteners rot away, and prevent the nets holding fish. The New Zealand restrictions are expected to be introduced by the end of the year. ARRIVALS Nil. DEPARTURES Ngahere (1 p.m.), 4548, Dune din. Capt. H. O. T. Fuller (U.S.S.) EXPECTED ARRIVALS Coastal Trader, Auckland, August 21. Botany Bav, Auckland, Augusl 22. Union Hobart, Sydney, Angus' 22.

NedUoyd Freetown, Biuff, August 22. Australian Endeavour, United States, August 23. Coastal Trader, Dunedin, August 23. Union Hobart, Wellington. August 24. Dona Clausen, from sea, August 26. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Holmdale, Chatham Islands, today. Frycz Modrzewski, Whangarei. August 19. Tauloto 11. Tauranga. August 22. Vishva Raksha, Wellington, August 22. Union Hobart, Wellington. August 22. Coastal Trader, Auckland. August 23. VESSELS IN FORT Vishva Raksha, Cashin Quay No i 1. ■ Tvcz Modrzewski. Cashin Quay I No. 2. I oastal Ranger, No. 2 West, 'auloto H, No. 3 West, ioimdale. No. 7 East. ;