The Poole Harbour Guide 2012 - Poole Harbour Commissioners

Poole &
District
Fishermen’s
Association
There has been evidence of fishermen in Poole since
Roman times hence the old oyster bank, which used to
exist at the end of Little Channel, now buried under the
Poole Quay Boat Haven marina.
The Poole and District Fishermen’s Association was
founded just after the 1914 – 18 war. Most of the boats
which fished Poole Bay were beached in the dunes at
Sandbanks. At that time all the trawlers were sailing
vessels working at the mercy of the wind and the tide.
Now, since the 1940’s, with powerful engines they can
operate almost anywhere at all times, hence the decline
of fish stocks. Few trawlers operate out of Poole these
days having been replaced by crab and lobster potters
and set nets which in season catch sole, bass, plaice,
skate etc., and in the summer Poole Canoes ring net for
bass and mullet. Winter sprats are no longer caught, as
there is no market for them. Shellfish, cockles and clams
are dredged at certain times of the year. Other shellfish
are farmed in the harbour. Twenty-acre plots are
licensed and the beds sown with immature mussels and
oysters to grow and later be farmed. Like crabs and
lobsters, they are exported to France and Spain,
although some find their way to restaurants in the Town.
Catches can be good but quotas and regulations mean
that some species, and slightly undersize fish, cannot be
legally landed and have to be thrown back – often dead.
Fishing in a small port like Poole is more a way of life
than a job. Many fishermen have to have a second
occupation, especially in the winter.
The PDFA holds a regatta every year for charity,
originally this raised funds for a party for member’s
families and to provide each child with a present. For the
last 24 years at least £1,000 has been raised each year
for charity. For the last two years Association has joined
forces with the Pirates of Poole charity event. This
resulted in some £11,000 being raised, £8,000 being
donated to Poole Hospital Wish List with smaller sums
to the Poole Lifeboat, Poole Rowing Club and Poole Sea
Cadets. This year the event takes place on Saturday 19th
June, please support this worthwhile cause.
Recreational Activities
Poole’s Sea
Angling Clubs
A local conger eel
• Poole Dolphins Sea Angling Club holds competitions
for members which include events for shore fishing,
charter boat fishing and private members boat fishing.
There are categories and competitions for junior anglers
and ladies too.
Further information about PDSAC, its activities and
other useful information can be found on the club
website at; www.fishingpoole.co.uk. Alternatively,
enquiries about membership can be answered by their
membership secretary: Nick Diffey on 01202 578469
• Poole Bay Small Boat Angling Club are a small club
established to promote safety at sea and small boat
angling. They have in excess of 150 members with over
90 boats.
The club aims to cater for the needs of sea anglers
fishing from small boats within waters that extend from St
Catherine’s Point in the east to Portland Bill in the west.
For more information contact:
martin.burt1@ntlworld.com
71