PORBEAGLE BYCATCH

Dateline 28-04-2010

Reports have reached SCS of 42 Porbeagles having been caught (bycatch), and then due to the current legislation, having been dumped at sea.

The question of bycatch is a difficult and complex issue, and the Shark Conservation Solciety acknowledges the need for enforcable "one size fits all" legislation. However it seems a tragedy that a large number of animals should die and then be dumped. Could not more imagination be used when forming some of these laws? If the fisherman had been allowed to land and sell his accidental catch, keep enough money to repair his damaged nets, plus a percentage for costs, with the balance (the majority) having to be paid to DEFRA for use in shark research, then some good would come out of tragedy.