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St. Leonards on Sea / warning to all winter paddlers, dog walkers, wind surfers and kite surfers using the beach at St. Leonards!
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Every year from October to about March there are nets placed in the shallows just off shore next to the Fishing Boats (Nr Bridge Way). These nets DO NOT belong to the fishermen who run these boats - (these fishermen pay a considerable public liabilities insurance for the privilege of having their fishing equipment on the beach) We are informed that the nets belong to an (uninsured) ex-policeman who up until recently would hammer metal spikes into the sand to attach these nets to - spikes that can still be found at low tide just under the surface and sticking up about half a meter from the sea bed, just at the depth that your dog would happily leap into the sea to fetch a ball AND, just at the depth that you will "fly off a wave" surfing in a kayak! The owner of these nets seems now to be using metal anchors to attach his nets to, and also *Long Lining from these anchors. *Long Lining from shore = long fishing lines attached to anchors on the sea shore with a nest of hooks at the end that sit unattended on the sea bed in the hope of hooking a fish, but potentially hooking a dog, paddler or swimmer! You also need to watch out for the nets close to shore as it would be easy for a dog to get tangled up in these and they are also a hazard for any paddler, wind-surfer, kite-surfer or winter swimmer (there are a few around) using the beach. Unfortunately we have not as yet been able to remove all the old metal spikes, but we will get some photos of there location shortly and also photograph the culprit and post the pictures online so that you can all say hello to him and thank him for his "consideration for the safety and conservation of our beach and beach users"! Please Note: we are not apposed to people fishing on the beach ... Hastings and ST. Leonards-on-Sea would be a lesser place without the fishing boats and fishermen, and the beach is for everyone to use. However leaving nets in the sea close to shore that are attached to anchors and metal spikes and long-lining from shore is both inconsiderate and dangerous to other beach users and it is a bit of a legal grey area as well! |
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Great feedback from Hastings Borough Council
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Nick Sangster from Hastings Borough Council / Environmental Services has responded to our concerns and outlined the legal position below. Thanks Nick - we could not have wished for a better response. As you may be aware members of the public are entitled to use the sea but not the sea bed for navigation and fishing, but the right extends to waters only. The Council also has a legal duty as landowner to protect users of their land from potential hazards.
We will of course continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the Sussex Sea Fisheries District Committee over any potential infringements of the byelaws where appropriate. If you have any specific concerns please contact our Foreshore office 01424 781020 or myself. Nick Sangster Resort Services Manager Environmental Services Directorate Hastings Borough Council Aquila House Breeds Place TN34 3UY Telephone 01424 451138/451139 Email nsangster@hastings.gov.uk |
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