06 August 2015
A fisherman has been fined £300 for not complying with fishing laws by setting groundlines on the beach at Grouville outside of the season.
The Department of the Environment is reminding fishermen to ensure that fishing gear set on beaches and at sea complies with the law after a recent prosecution in Jersey’s Magistrate’s Court.
Groundlines (also known as trots or trot lines) are baited hooks attached to a line which often rests on the sand and can't be set on the beach from 1 April to 15 October in any year.
Children and dogs
Marine Resources assistant director Greg Morel said “People use our beaches for many different activities and pastimes. At this time of year in particular, there are a lot of children and dogs on the beaches and it is important users are respectful of others and comply with the regulations.”
Grouville Centenier Charles Dix said “Following this successful prosecution of a fisherman, it’s timely to remind people that there’s a prohibition on the use of trot lines between April and October.
“This is for an important reason - to avoid the risk of beach walkers, including dogs, and swimmers, treading on a sharp fishhook with very painful consequences. Issues of public safety are always taken seriously and I, like my colleagues at the Environment Department, urge fishermen to check they know and are fully complying with the rules.”
Download recreational fishing leaflet (492kb)
gov.je