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In a letter regarding trials of these gill nets Mr. Steffen Smidt, EU Director General of Fisheries, at that time, stated
"The European Community established a Community framework for the collection and management of the data needed to conduct the Common Fisheries Policy. Article 9 of the Council Decision (2000/439/EC) foresees the spheres of activity which may be covered for studies and pilot projects”.
He continued to explain that funds could be made available to any European research institute interested in forming a proposal.
Numerous letters were written to European research institutes, but to date, no trials of barium sulphate filled acoustically reflective nets have taken place in European waters.
Ghost Fishing: When gill nets are lost or discarded, they continue to “fish” and kill marine creatures.
A UK study suggests that lost or discarded gill nets continue to “fish” for a period of 6 months to 2 years, depending on a number of environmental conditions.
Other studies suggest that discarded gill nets can continue to kill marine creatures for up to 5 years.
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