GovWire

This report was created by a sub-group of the MCAs United Kingdom Safety of Navigation Committee, the Static Fishing Gear Safety Working Group. Group members include representatives from the fishing industry, the marine leisure sector, ports government bodies (whose remits include static gear and navigation safety) and other organisations involved with the issues relating to static fishing gear

The report considers the problems relating to the marking and rigging of static fishing gear under different marking regimes in the UK and how they relate to safety and industry regulation. It examines potential ways to improve entanglement outcomes for small vessels and makes six recommendations in pursuance of that aim.

The MCA would like to thank all the organisations that contributed to the completion of this report.

• The Cruising Association (CA)

• The Royal Yacht Association (RYA)

• The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI)

• UK Harbour Masters Association (UKHMA)

• Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA)

• Seafish

• Marine Management Organisation (MMO)

• National Federation of Fishermens Organisations (NFFO)

• UK Chamber of Shipping

• Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)