29 September 2025
The RYA and Cruising Association urge boaters to report fishing gear entanglements to improve safety
Poorly marked lobster pots and static fishing gear remain an unpredictable hazard faced by coastal sailors.
Poorly marked lobster pots and static fishing gear remain an unpredictable hazard faced by coastal sailors. If a small craft is disabled by a fouled propeller and rudder, it poses a serious risk to navigation, safety and potentially the lives of those on board.
Other water users also run the risk of entanglement and for fishermen, these incidents could result in significant losses when gear is damaged through entanglement.
To help address the issue, the RYA and the Cruising Association (CA) are uniting to call on sailors to report entanglements and sightings of poorly marked static gear. Reports can be submitted quickly and easily through the RYA’s Fishing Gear Reporting Form.
Scotland took a significant step in 2020 by making it illegal to mark creels with anything other than a dedicated buoy. Elsewhere in the UK, voluntary guidance exists, but this has not been sufficient to resolve the issue. The RYA and CA, along with other stakeholders, continue to seek a long-term solution.
Mel Hide, RYA Director of External Affairs said: “Although the RYA has been collecting data on static fishing gear for over 20 years, we’ve not yet received sufficient evidence to provide a strong enough case to drive change. If you are concerned by this hazard or have previous experience with entanglements, we encourage you to get in touch through this form”.
Call to Action
Boaters are urged to report:
· Entanglement incidents - whether you were directly involved, witnessed an incident or are reporting an incident that occurred earlier this year.
· Sightings of unmarked, poorly marked, or lost static fishing gear.
The form asks for location, date, time, weather conditions and type of fishing gear. It also allows for photo uploads. This data will be used to identify high-risk areas and to inform further discussions.
“Safety at sea is everyone’s responsibility,” commented Robin Baron, President of the Cruising Association. “The CA remains committed to ensuring safer waters and protecting those who navigate them. All who use our waters must play their part. The CA urges boaters to complete the RYA Reporting Form, so we can build a central database of incidents.”
