Field trial of a modified T net at South Shields, Summer 2019

From June to August 2019, the Environment Agency worked with commercial netsmen to trial a net designed to entangle sea trout, but allow salmon to pass through or be released unharmed.

The design is based on a traditional Northumbrian T net, which has been used for almost a hundred years to catch salmon and sea trout along the North East coast, which had been modified to allow salmon to escape. The new net was designed to protect threatened salmon stocks, but still allow netsmen to make a living from catching sea trout. We used the latest technology, including drones and underwater cameras to monitor the nets, as well as fisheries observers to record catches.

This video will help provide support material to accompany a consultation being delivered by the Environment Agency entitled "Potential extension to the Yorkshire and North East coastal sea trout netting season" being held between 20 January and 21 February 2020.

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