This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7549947.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Haaf netters fear for fishing's future | Haaf netters fear for fishing's future |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| By Raymond Buchanan BBC News Critics say haaf netting is harming fish stocks in Solway Estuary | By Raymond Buchanan BBC News Critics say haaf netting is harming fish stocks in Solway Estuary |
| A salmon-fishing method inherited from the Vikings is under threat from new restrictions on the hours they can work, according to the handful of fishermen still using the ancient method. | A salmon-fishing method inherited from the Vikings is under threat from new restrictions on the hours they can work, according to the handful of fishermen still using the ancient method. |
| For a thousand years men have trampled over the sticky mudflats of Cumbria's Solway Estuary and immersed themselves waist high in its ebbing and flooding waters. | For a thousand years men have trampled over the sticky mudflats of Cumbria's Solway Estuary and immersed themselves waist high in its ebbing and flooding waters. |
| Then, as now, their prey was salmon and sea trout. | Then, as now, their prey was salmon and sea trout. |
| Their method of fishing is unique in the British Isles. They shun the light convenience of rods and the industrial efficiency of commercial traps. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme | |
| Instead, the men carry home-made "haafs", which are shaped like giant butterfly nets, to capture and scoop up their prey before despatching the fish with a wooden mallet. | Instead, the men carry home-made "haafs", which are shaped like giant butterfly nets, to capture and scoop up their prey before despatching the fish with a wooden mallet. |
| And so it has been for generations - the first haaf netters were the Vikings who invaded the Cumbrian coast. | And so it has been for generations - the first haaf netters were the Vikings who invaded the Cumbrian coast. |
| The Norsemen were forced out a millennium ago and now the fishermen fear they will soon follow. | The Norsemen were forced out a millennium ago and now the fishermen fear they will soon follow. |
| Traditional netters demonstrate their craft | |
| "We are being regulated out of existence," said Mark Graham, the chairman of the Haaf Netters Association. | "We are being regulated out of existence," said Mark Graham, the chairman of the Haaf Netters Association. |
| "We are finding it almost impossible to fish." | "We are finding it almost impossible to fish." |
| The fishing is dominated by the time of the tides. New by-laws mean the netters can fish only on weekdays between 10am and 10pm. | The fishing is dominated by the time of the tides. New by-laws mean the netters can fish only on weekdays between 10am and 10pm. |
| The time restrictions mean many netters no longer think it is worth the bother. | The time restrictions mean many netters no longer think it is worth the bother. |
| Last year there were around 100, this season there are barely 50. | Last year there were around 100, this season there are barely 50. |
| Stock conservation | Stock conservation |
| To halt this decline, the association is seeking a judicial review to get the restrictions overturned. | To halt this decline, the association is seeking a judicial review to get the restrictions overturned. |
| "It is very important to the people locally," said Mr Graham. | "It is very important to the people locally," said Mr Graham. |
| "It's part of the fabric of Cumbria and on those grounds alone it ought to be preserved." | |
| The Environment Agency, which regulates the waters, insists the new rules are to conserve stocks and not aimed at ending ancient fishing customs. | The Environment Agency, which regulates the waters, insists the new rules are to conserve stocks and not aimed at ending ancient fishing customs. |
| Environment manager Jon Shatwell said: "We have enough net licences this year for all the guys who were fishing last year. | Environment manager Jon Shatwell said: "We have enough net licences this year for all the guys who were fishing last year. |
| "We've reduced the amount of time they can fish a bit so that we can let more fish escape to spawn." | "We've reduced the amount of time they can fish a bit so that we can let more fish escape to spawn." |
| Some of the river owners are in favour of restrictions because increased stocks would make their fishing rights more valuable, but the netters do have a powerful ally. | Some of the river owners are in favour of restrictions because increased stocks would make their fishing rights more valuable, but the netters do have a powerful ally. |
| Businessman Lord Ballyedmond owns an estate on the River Eden which links into the estuary. | Businessman Lord Ballyedmond owns an estate on the River Eden which links into the estuary. |
| He said: "It's very natural for them to get upset and annoyed if you try and put them out of business. | He said: "It's very natural for them to get upset and annoyed if you try and put them out of business. |
| "I think the River Eden Owners Association should meet the haaf netters and get an agreed policy and put that to government." | "I think the River Eden Owners Association should meet the haaf netters and get an agreed policy and put that to government." |
| For the haaf netters this year's season is almost over. It has been a poor one for fish catches - they blame the restrictions and say there are plenty of fish if only they were allowed to catch them. | For the haaf netters this year's season is almost over. It has been a poor one for fish catches - they blame the restrictions and say there are plenty of fish if only they were allowed to catch them. |
| Next spring will show how many still want to heave the haaf on their shoulders and head out into the mudflats. | Next spring will show how many still want to heave the haaf on their shoulders and head out into the mudflats. |