High-powered Russian military equipment could be taken out by a low-tech adversary from Jersey…
Islanders with surplus fishing nets – made redundant by recent regulatory changes – are being invited by the Infrastructure and Environment Department’s Marine Resources team to donate them, with the collected gear to be sent onwards to Ukraine for repurposing as part of “vital anti-drone protection”.
It follows the introduction of new sea fisheries regulations earlier this month, which include a ban against the use of mesh sizes smaller than 100mm for commercial nets and 112mm for recreational nets.
We fully support it and it will probably help clear out some fishermen’s sheds along the process as well
Jersey Fishermen’s Association chair Stephen Viney
The handover is scheduled to take place on 1 May at Howard Davis Farm from 8.30am to midday and at the Marine Resources Workshop at La Collette from 1pm to 5pm.
Marine science research manager Alex Plaster said: “Mesh sizes rules have changed in Jersey, so we’re looking to collect surplus nets from commercial and recreational fishers at two drop-offs.
“These nets will then go on to Ukraine to be reused in their defence effort.”
How will the nets help with drone defences?
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has cited a significant increase in the pace of anti-drone protection installation, which it said rose from 5km per day in January to 12km per day in February and has “significantly improved the safety of military movement and ensured the steady functioning of frontline communities”.
Fishing nets are among the materials being repurposed for this kind of protection, often strung above roads and defensive positions to form aerial barriers that entangle drones or trigger an early detonation.
The chair of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, Stephen Viney, said the JFA would “certainly” encourage those with surplus nets to donate them rather than dispose of them.
“It’s obviously for a good cause.
“It’s unusual but at the same time it makes a lot of sense [for] anti-drone devices,” he added, noting that the initiative could see a “piece of old net” taking out Russian military equipment.
“We fully support it and it will probably help clear out some fishermen’s sheds along the process as well.”