| Divers join underwater clean-up | |
|  | | Lobster caught in a fishing line. Photo: Paul Gregory |
| | Marine life is needlessly dying at a popular fishing spot in Plymouth because of discarded fishing lines.
Now local divers are mounting an underwater conservation project to clear the area. |
| | | Divers from the Plymouth area are joining forces to help clear an underwater conservation zone.
The divers are organising a special clear-up operation to fight the perils of so-called 'ghost fishing' at a key point in Plymouth Sound.
Discarded fishing lines at Devils Point have been accumulating for the past 10 years and they're now having a detrimental effect on marine life.
The fishing lines are responsible for the death of many marine animals in a phenomenon known as ghost fishing.
"When fishermen lose their gear it often gets caught and carries on fishing on the seabed without anyone being there," explained diver Dave Wilson.
 | | A diving expedition at Devils Point. Photo: Paul Gregory |
"You can imagine people are fishing there 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"When you add up the line, the lead and all the debris that fishermen use and it adds up to a considerable amount.
"The main problem is lobsters, you often find them tangled up and in the process of dying because they're being strangled by the line.
"What we tend to do is cut them away and send them on their way, but it is really becoming a problem."
Plymouth Sound and its estuaries are particularly significant in terms of marine wildlife due in part to their south westerly location.
Devils Point lies within the Plymouth Sound Special Area of Conservation and is designated as an important European marine site.
But according to marine ecologist and underwater photographer Paul Gregory, many people are oblivious to what's going on under the surface.
 | | Marine life at Devils Point.Photo: Paul Gregory |
"I couldn't believe the state of it the first time I dived there. It spoils my enjoyment, it spoils the enjoyment of other divers and it's killing marine animals.
"These animals are needlessly dying and that's not acceptable. We all use Plymouth Sound and it's a fantastic environment, but people don't know what goes on under the water.
"A lot of conservation work is happening on land, but very little underwater because people don't know what's there.
Local dive clubs and shops have now been approached to take part in the Dive Clean operation on Saturday 11th September.
Lots of people have already expressed an interest, but because of the nature of the site anyone taking part must be a really experienced diver.
Article first published: 3rd September 2004 | | | |
|
| | Weather |  | | Monthly statistics, features and information. |
| E-cards |  | | Send an e-postcard of glorious Devon to a friend. |
| In Pictures |  | | Browse through our vast selection of photo galleries. |
BBC Devon
Broadcasting House
Seymour Road
Plymouth
PL3 5BD
(+44) 01752 229201
devon.online@bbc.co.uk
|
|
