Deep-Sea Fishing Impacts on Shipwrecks

[Cannoneer]

Sean A. Kingsley
Wreck Watch Int., London, UK

"Odyssey Marine Exploration’s Atlas Shipwreck Survey Project in the western English Channel and Western Approaches has recorded 267 shipwrecks across 4,725 square nautical miles. A high density of the sites displays evidence of detrimental impacts from the deep-sea fishing industry, predominantly trawler, scallop dredge and gill net fishing activities.
This report summarizes the effects of deep-sea fishing on all shipwrecks in the Atlas zone. The wreck of HMS Victory, a first-rate Royal Navy warship lost in October 1744, is examined in particularly focused detail. Three main sources are utilized and compared: side-scan sonar analysis, visual site reconnaissance of all targets using a Remotely-Operated Vehicle, and a statistical analysis of fishing in relation to wreck locations based on 73,385 VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) aerial sightings and 838,048 satellite observations of fishing vessels operating inside Odyssey’s shipwreck survey zone between 1985 and 2008. This research leads to the conclusion that the shipwrecks in the study zone have been, and continue to be, targeted, inadvertently disturbed and/or systematically exploited for deep-sea fishing due to their nature as nutrient-rich biological oases and shelter for an abundance of fish populations. Whereas steel wrecks display a level of expected structural robustness in many cases, the majority of the archaeologically significant wooden sites are at high risk, some extremely so. Largely isolated beyond the parameters of national and international legislative protection, the small percentage of surviving sites that constitute unique cultural heritage requires attention and a plan for preserving the archaeological data that can still be secured from them.
This report is intended to assess methodically and statistically a problem that is unquantified and poorly recognized to date within marine archaeology. The intent is not to cast blame on fisheries. Rather, it is to present the factual data in order to develop plans for taking into account all different user groups of underwater cultural heritage, particularly the crucial role fishermen serve society and the economy. This report is rooted on the principle that the relationships between fishermen, ecologists, archaeologists, historians, salvors, sport divers, heritage managers and marine construction companies working legally in the study region are, and must remain, respectfully symbiotic.
These results reflect specifically the conditions in one geographical area, but bring to the fore an issue that should be studied worldwide to help develop a rational and effective approach for protecting and preserving deep-sea maritime heritage."

http://www.shipwreck.net/pdf/OMEPapers4Final_000.pdf

[SHOOTALL]

Fishermen fish where the fish are . Fish go to structure in this case a ship. The English have had 269 years to retrieve what they want off the ship.   

[rivercat]

Fishermen fish where the fish are . Fish go to structure in this case a ship. The English have had 269 years to retrieve what they want off the ship. 

As A Brit myself, to a certain degree I would agree with you. But unfortunately being members of the EU weather I like it or not this has decimated the UK fishing industry which certainly has been in decline for the last 50 years or so. We do experience fishing boats from other countries like france, japan, spain etc fishing in the English channel, some of these are factory ships which catch and process all at sea which do a lot of damage.
But you also need to take into account that it is British government policy certainly for the modern wrecks and earlier to classify these as war graves or grave sites. The report figure of the amount of wrecks within this area is some what lacking if you compare this to the admiralty charts for the area.
I was pleased that some of the wrecks that they have found including HMS Victory do still have ordnance that can be recovered and do look in very good shape considering the amount of time they have been under water.
Sorry this was starting to go of topic.
I attach the picture below of a cannon undergoing restoration in a tank which was recovered from fishing nets..
 

[SHOOTALL]

 Things get pulled up around here also I live in Va. . My point was if a choice must be made the fishing should come first . That said safety should be of the highest importance then cost.
 As for non American   fleets in our waters we have the same if not larger problems than you.

[Iron Balls]

Still, it's a shame. 

[SHOOTALL]

One way yes but then the fishing is better .

[Iron Balls]

Fishermen fish where the fish are . Fish go to structure in this case a ship. The English have had 269 years to retrieve what they want off the ship. 

Actually, the ability to find and explore these sites is a very recent technology.
 

[SHOOTALL]

I have been sport fishing over them for 40 + years and when I came along it was old hat. Same for commercial Spanish Mackerel fishermen here its a tradition. But then we do live near the Grave Yard Of The Atlantic. It would almost be impossible to troll in some places and not go over wrecks.