Back to Sidney reports. I noticed on my 3 forays into the Inlet that the same traps seemed to be out there every morning when I arrived and if tended at all were emptied and relaunched. We’re not talking overnight soaks we’re talking over month soaks. I think it’s time to have a hard look at whether or not overnight soaks should be permitted. Given we have a reduced daily limit, is it necessary to leave traps out there for extended periods. Are they simply being emptied once a day
Arriving at first light, it’s amazing how many of the same floats are already out there. Admittedly I only went into the Inlet 3 times in the last couple of weeks so it could be a coincidence, but if it is it also happened last year, the year before and the year before that. Pretty much from rec opening until the Commercial opening the same traps are out in the same location. As I said some are there when I arrive at dawn and still there when I leave and no one has checked them. Seems a little strange to me, unless they are being checked every evening and relaunched? I should add it doesn’t take long ( hour or two) in my experience to have octopus or rock crab feeding in the traps, so how much catch is being wasted.
Anyway I was never in the past too concerned about overnight fishing and if it’s done correctly for instance a launch in the evening and pick up the next morning I still would have no problem. However it seems to be a loophole that’s being exploited to leave traps out there all month and sad to say, it pretty much has to be us locals doing it. No overnight soaks Might be worthy of consideration by the SFAB if there’s a further round of cuts.