Allegations that a fish species that is endangered was unlawfully harvested and dumped off the coast of Argyll sparked an investigation. Three dead flapper skates were discovered among “hundreds” of other fish near the Isle of Gigha, as seen in underwater footage published by the marine conservation organization Sea Kintyre.
In Scotland, it is forbidden to land flapper skates since 2009; instead, they must be swiftly and undamaged returned to the water.
Endangered fish
When sharing the video on Instagram last week, Sea Kintyre wrote: “Clearly these three skate, along with hundreds of other fish, including species such as thorny back rays, spotted rays, and dogfish were not released immediately.”
The Scottish Government acknowledged it is aware of the accusation and that it works with Marine Scotland to control fishing. “An active investigation is underway,” a spokeswoman stated. It would not be proper to provide more commentary.
- Endangered flapper skates discovered near Argyll coast, sparking an investigation.
- Sea Kintyre reports skates, rays, and dogfish were not released immediately.
- Open Seas advocates for mandatory inshore vessel tracking to combat wasteful fishing.
Peter Hume of Sea Kintyre claimed to have received information regarding the abandoned fish on the Gigha pier. He checked the accuracy of the reports and discovered heaps of langoustines and abandoned skates.
Hume bemoaned the fishery’s negative effects on the neighborhood and the environment. Inshore vessels should be required to be tracked, according to Open Seas.
“This footage illustrates the dismal reality of bottom trawling for scampi,” said Nick Underdown, head of campaigns: “The environmental impact of bottom trawling is normally hidden from public view.
Most people are unaware that their scampi and chips are collected using bottom trawling, which is a type of fishing that is mostly indiscriminate and has a high environmental impact.
