14.4.13.1
Longlining
183. Longlines deployed by vessels operating in the area of the proposed East Anglia THREE project generally range from 2.5 to 4nm in length and consist of 2,500 to 4,000 hooks baited with squid or fish bait depending on target species. Distance between each snood11 varies between 2 to 2.4m. Mainlines are anchored by two large grapnel anchors and marked by up to four gear markers (two at each end), consisting of a dhan and buff (buoy). Up to 100 small fishermen’s anchors are set at intervals along the mainline keep the gear close to the sea bed.
184. Lines are set across the tide along east-west headings and are typically left to soak from three to six hours, although this may occasionally be extended overnight or up to a maximum of 24 hours, usually during winter. For example, if lines come back holding substantial bait then they may be shot away again and left to fish overnight. ‘Night lays’ may be shot inside the 6nm limit to avoid the risk of gear being lost or damaged by visiting vessels or Belgian demersal trawlers which have historic access rights within 6 to 12nm limit. Similarly, when targeting grounds outside the 12nm limit vessels may stay close to the gear in order to reduce the risk of conflict with the larger class of Dutch and Belgian beam trawlers which fish offshore areas.
185. Although longlines are used year round by a number of local vessels, their use increases during the winter and spring when they are one of the principal methods used to target cod. Other important species in the longline fishery are bass, thornback ray and smoothhounds. Spurdog cannot currently be landed legally due to an absence of a TAC (and therefore UK quota) although they formed an important part of the local fishery prior 2010. During consultation it was stated that there was a potential for this fishery to reopen in the future.
186. Vessel and gear specifications for one of the most active longlining vessels operating in the area are provided in Table 14.10 . It is worth noting that at times this vessel will also work static gillnets, driftnets and whelk pots.
11 The ‘snood’ is a length of line tied to the mainline to which the baited hook is attached
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 14 Commercial Fisheries Page 80
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