– We are trying to get an idea of how big an environmental problem it really can be, says David Solstorm, who is a fisheries consultant at the County Administrative Board in Jönköping.
This year, they are investing more in supervision and pulling up lost equipment, but the extent of the problem in Lake Vättern is still difficult to determine.
– There is evidently quite a large number of cages out there, he says.
Here one of the 40 cages that David Solstorm has pulled up from Lake Vättern. Photo: David Solstorm
Avoid police reports
Solstorm also highlights that not everyone has control over their equipment.
– Many have a decent grasp of the rules, but with the equipment it seems to be more limited and quite a few don’t even have a grasp of the weather.
Ahead of the public’s crayfish fishing, the County Administrative Board has released an information film that they hope will reduce the risk of ghost fishing.
– If you watch the film, you will be able to manage both getting rid of stuff and police reports, says Solstorm.
Main mistake
What is the number one mistake you make?
– We have seen that almost everything we have raised lacks a sink. If there is no sink on the cages, current and wind can take them anywhere
CRAB FISHING IN THE WATERS 2024:
In 2024, this means that it is permitted to fish on public waters without a permit on the following dates and times:
• 23 August at 17.00–25 August at 17.00
• 30 August at 17.00–1 September at 17.00
• September 6 at 17.00–8 September at 17.00
RULES DURING CRAB FISHING:
• Max 6 cages per person.
• Max 60 crayfish per person per day.
• The cages must have two escape openings of at least 28 mm.
• The fishing ball must be marked with the full name and a contactable telephone number.
• The public may only fish on public waters; that is, 300 meters and further out from land.
Source: County Administrative Board