Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

If, as Solly suggests, these Supertrawlers have the best of electronic systems on board, this suggests in turn they would be able to identify the approach of a helicopter (SBS or Coastguard) before too long. If the trawlers were close enough to the boundary of our waters, surely this would give the trawler masters time to haul in and "high tail it out of Dodge" before the shit hits the fan?

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

I think it is essential to arm the helicopters JBR !
What if the need arises to fire a burst across the bows of a
disobedient French skipper! ( common practice once ?)
And as you said we will be within the law as the skipper will be
disobeying the lawful orders of the authorities to heave to and
allow boarders to check for evidence??
I dont think there is much chance of a fishing trawler outwitting a
helicopter that is properly equipped and seen to be properly
equipped ?
And, as you say, once this has happened a couple of times the lesson
will have been learned??
A very, very good idea imo !!

Donkeyman! 👍😁👍

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

Hi

This is our system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bofors_HPM_Blackout

Russia and Turkey have both used theirs in the middle east conflict.

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

Doesnt seem to have had much effect then Swimmy ??
Did something go wrong?

Donkeyman! 👍😁👍

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

Yep, a couple of side-mounted 50 calibre cannon should do the trick

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

Yes, I can see the advantages.
Bearing in mind how the Frogs have behaved by ramming our fishing boats in the past, I think that a shot across the bows might persuade them not to resist our boarding.

There is also the remote possibility that some of the foreign fishermen might have armed themselves.

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

That sounds very useful. I had no idea that such a thing had now been developed.

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

I'm no great supporter of Greenpeace, but I have now changed my mind!

I have just read an article in The Times (only the beginning as I refuse to pay to read the paper!) which announced that a Greenpeace boat has dropped some 3 ton granite boulders in the Dogger restricted fishing conservation area. The purpose of that is to foul the nets of those supertrawlers and hopefully damage them.

Excellent news, Greenpeace. You have done something that our weak, wishy-washy government has failed to do. Now do the same in other conservation areas!

I read that a critic claims that dropping boulders would damage the fish as well as the trawler nets, but I'd argue that that is nonsense. Fish are quick enough to move out of the way of danger, and a boulder killing one or two fish must be preferable to a supertrawler killing thousands or millions.

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

I think it is high time we served notice on the EU that from January
next year all present fishing permits and quota's will be become
null and void, and if they wish to take part in any fishing in our
waters from then, they should start applying for their paperwork
between now and December to allow time for processing their
permits etc!
They will then get a copy of the new rules and regulations as well
as a warning that all decisions we make on the allocations will be
final and not open to appeal !!
If Boris were to set up a department to undertake this work now it
would indicate his his intention to keep his much repeated promise
to fully take back our sovereignty over our borders??
This would also remove any illusions the EU may have about our
intentions to trade fishing for trade ??

Donkeyman! 👍😇😇👍

Re: Barnier Turns a Blind Eye to EU Destruction of Fish Stocks

That sounds just about right Donks. If their fishing licences take as long to come through as mine just did (20days) then they'll need the time between now and the New Year just waiting for them.