Mystery of the fishing boat

Sep 5 2008

COULD some knowledgeable person answer the following for the general interest of local inhabitants regarding the following:

For some months now, a small fishing boat has been operating a few hundred yards out from the Barassie beach. It is there daily, and operates all day.

One person I spoke to understood they were putting a charge of electricity into the sand, thereby displacing sand eels or lugworms from the sea bed. They are then netted.

I am totally ignorant about the ramifications of this supposed operation. If this is the case, will this not denude the feeding ground for several species of fish?

I imagine they must be operating legally, but surely this must have a detrimental effect on any small fishing boats (not commercial) and fishers casting from the shore, making a day’s sport worthwhile?

Name and address withheld