THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has said the introduction of the new Omega electronic net gauge has been seriously mishandled, with mounting concerns among its member whether it is fit for purpose.
The NFFO maintains that while few would argue against a method of measuring mesh size in a way that increases consistency and reduces the scope for error, there are now serious doubts whether the Omega Gauge delivers this.
Id states: "The collective failure of the European Commission, the European Fisheries Control Agency and member states to communicate adequately with the fishing industry on the introduction of the Omega gauge has left fishing vessels with many thousands of pounds worth of nets, on vessels and in net stores that overnight, have been deemed to be illegal. Net manufactures and distributors likewise have been badly affected.
"The Commission’s attitude to date has been to ignore the practical issues which the introduction of the gauge has given rise to in the hope that although costly and frustrating for the fishing industry, these are essentially transitional frictions that will die down in due course." There are also serious doubts about the way the gauge has been calibrated and a systematic failure to trial it in a wide range of practical conditions.
The NFFO says it is joining other fishing federations (including Scotland) to raise the issue at the highest level. In the meantime it is telling skippers not to sign any document accepting legality of the gauge and to be given the opportunity to wash nets of mud, sand and twine before measurement. However, it adds that skippers must NOT refuse an inspection as that amounts to criminal obstruction.
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