Cruising Association launches Lobster Pot Campaign

The Cruising Association (CA) has officially launched its national Lobster Pot Campaign, intensifying calls for regulatory action on the safer, more visible marking of static fishing gear across UK waters.

The Lobster Pot Campaign was unveiled at the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show by sailor and author Tom Cunliffe, alongside campaign chair Ian Wilson CBE. The campaign aims to address a persistent and costly hazard to both recreational boaters and commercial operators.

A persistent industry hazard

Poorly marked lobster pots and creels remain a significant cause of vessel damage and emergency callouts. Often virtually invisible in low light, heavy seas or high-traffic coastal areas, poorly marked gear frequently results in:

• Fouled propellers and entangled running gear
• Sudden loss of propulsion
• Costly mechanical damage to stern gear and hulls
• Subsequent risk to vessel safety and crew welfare

While the hazard is well-documented, it remains unresolved. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) voluntary guidance – Static fishing gear: Design of ends (reissued in 2024) – outlines best practices and is followed by many fishermen. However, because compliance is not legally mandated, inconsistent marking remains a widespread operational risk.

Incidents involving entanglement, near-misses and emergency rescues continue to be reported. Around 25 per cent of entanglements are suffered by fishing boats. Since 2020, legislation in Scotland has made it illegal to mark creels with anything other than a dedicated buoy.

Call for enforceable regulation

The Lobster Pot Campaign is calling for existing MCA guidance to be made mandatory and enforceable, establishing clear and consistent standards to improve visibility, reduce ambiguity and reduce risk for all water users.

Robin Baron, president of the Cruising Association, says: “Poorly marked fishing gear continues to present a real and avoidable danger. This campaign is about improving clarity, consistency and ultimately safety at sea – for everyone. By working together and strengthening existing guidance, we can reduce risk and support safer navigation in our waters. The issue is not fishing, but unsafe marking practices that put all water users at risk.

“Clear marking saves lives, protects livelihoods and keeps our waters safe for everyone.”

A spokesperson for the MCA adds: “We welcome this campaign to encourage reporting of specific navigational safety incidents linked to poorly marked static fishing gear, which will help quantify the scale and location of potential hazards.”

Reporting poorly marked fishing gear

Building on its original campaign launched in 2018, the CA’s 2026 campaign focuses on strengthening the case for action and moving from voluntary guidance to enforceable standards.

Through its manifesto, growing evidence base and collaboration across the marine sector, the campaign aims to:

• Raise awareness of the risks posed by poorly marked static fishing gear
• Collect and publish incident data on poorly marked static fishing gear
• Highlight high-risk locations of poorly marked static fishing gear
• Work constructively with fishing and boating communities
• Advocate for enforceable Government regulation of poorly marked static fishing gear

How to report an incident

To support this, the CA, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Irish Sailing are urging mariners to report all entanglements and sightings of poorly marked or ghost gear.

Reports can be submitted via the RYA Fishing Gear Reporting Form, including details such as location, time, conditions and photos. The data is used to build a national picture of risk, with results published as a heat map to inform future action.

Boaters are encouraged to report, every time:

• Entanglement incidents – whether you were directly involved or witnessed an incident

• Sightings of unmarked, poorly marked or lost static fishing gear

Support the campaign

The Lobster Pot Campaign is supported by industry partners including the Royal Institute of Navigation, Practical Boat Owner, Yachting Monthly, and the Westerly Owners’ Association.

The Cruising Association invites organisations and individuals across the marine sector to partner with it to strengthen this campaign. By sharing campaign materials and helping to share key messages, marine organisations can play a vital role in improving awareness and driving safer practices.