Escape hatches on Bridlington lobster pots protect marine life

Fishermen on the East Yorkshire coast tout a simple redesign for lobster pots: escape hatches. The side-entry openings prevent bycatch and allow juveniles and other non-target species to slip free, addressing growing conservation concerns. Grant Watson of Bridlington-based Dylharis notes the redesign supports a stronger future for the shellfish sector by reducing intra-pot fights and deaths. Wildlife and Countryside Link cites thousands of protected seabirds and more than 1,000 porpoises and dolphins dying annually from bycatch, with Bridlington’s experience cited as a practical example. DEFRA says the government backs oceans restoration, trialing deterrents since 2019, and implementing programs like Clean Catch for bycatch monitoring and a forthcoming Seabird Bycatch Action Plan.