Isles of Scilly Fish and Fisheries - Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Each pack consisted of
• An introductory letter
• 5 Fish Sighting Sheets
• 5 Fish Report Forms
• Isles of Scilly Fish Identification Sheet – 5 laminated sheets
• Shark Trust guide to British Skates and Rays
• Shark Trust guide to British Sharks
• A plastic wallet or folder
The identification guide and recording sheets where also made available online at the
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust’s website http://www.ioswildlifetrust.org.uk/livingseas/Fish_and_fishing_study.
Twenty five packs were produced and 22 distributed to people who said they were
willing to participate, but unfortunately only three returned completed forms. There
was a general ready acceptance and goodwill towards the project but this did not
convert to actual participation. Those forms returned were very useful.
2.4) Study of the fishing fleet
The Maritime Officer was very helpful and provided some details of the vessels and
facilities in the islands along with the relevant regulations and a list of mainland
vessels holding “historic rights” to fish in the waters around Scilly.
Further details of the vessels registered in Scilly and of other fishing vessels working
outside the six-mile limit were obtained by conversations with fishermen, direct
observation, and from the Defra (MMO) website. Those fishing vessels seen moored,
fishing, or transferring their catches around the islands were recorded, so that it was
known which of the registered vessels were active in the fisheries. Where possible a
note was also made of their gears and associated equipment.
A recording form was prepared and used to register the fish landed from those boats
operating around the islands.
Unfortunately, it was only possible to get to sea once, and that on a non-commercial
boat working a few pots and fishing with rod and line.
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