Frequent 'Fly-Shooting' Fishing

'Fly-shooting' is another name for seine fishing. This type of fish capture involves boats towing weighted ropes along the seabed at either end of a large net. The net first encircles and then traps an entire shoal of fish. It has been estimated boats using this technique can capture up to 11 times more fish than traditional inshore fishing vessels. There have been complaints that allowing 'fly shooters' unfettered access to the English Channel (La Manche en France), leaves no fish for more sustainable operators and also damages the seabed (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/28/damaging-fly-shooting-fishing-in-channel-sparks-concerns). Currently, 75 'fly-shooting' vessels operate on the English side of the Channel. They are licenced by the UK's Marine Management Organisation (MMO). Fifteen of these vessels are registered in the UK. The rest are registered in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. In spite of the raised concerns, it appears likely that the MMO have not carried out an impact assessment of 'fly-shooting'. In addition, the Environmental Agency seems impressed that 'fly-shooting' boats are small and produce little 'greenhouse gas'. Proper management of fish stocks requires, however, careful evaluation of the impacts of all fishing techniques.