About the Lobster Pot Campaign

Introduction

Poorly marked static fishing gear, particularly unmarked or inadequately marked lobster pots and creels, continues to pose a serious and avoidable hazard.

Since launching its first campaign in 2018, the Cruising Association has worked to raise awareness and drive change. Now, the 2026 campaign builds on that momentum and is focused on strengthening the case for action and moving from voluntary guidance to enforceable standards.

Through a clear Manifesto, growing evidence base, and collaboration with alliance partners and across the marine sector, the Lobster Pot Campaign is working to reduce risk and make our waters safer for everyone.
Marked Gear = Safe Gear.

Jump to content

• 2018 campaign
• 2026 campaign
• Tom Cunliffe explains
• Finding a solution
• Campaign manifesto

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2018 Campaign

Since the Cruising Association launched our first campaign in 2018 and as a result of our successful Parliamentary petition, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) formed a working group (2019-2024), whose report was published by the MCA in 2025. This contains an excellent description of the problem but does not recommend a move away from the MCA’s existing voluntary guidance.

2026 Campaign

The Cruising Association has formed a new alliance with the Royal Institute of Navigation, Practical Boat Owner, Yachting Monthly and the Westerly Owners’ Association to make the case for the enforcement of the MCA guidance.

The CA is working constructively with regulators and maritime communities to advocate for regulation, data collection and safer shared waters. Clear marking saves lives, protects livelihoods and keeps our waters safe for everyone.

Watch the campaign video

Tom Cunliffe Explains

Finding a Solution

The Lobster Pot Campaign aims to:

• Raise Awareness
  Increase understanding across the marine community of the risks posed by poorly marked static fishing gear, highlighting the real-world consequences for safety, vessels and crews.
• Promote Dialogue
  Foster constructive collaboration between fishermen, recreational boaters, regulators and industry bodies to share perspectives and address challenges.
• Reduce Risk
  Proper marking, identifiable ownership and clear surface indicators on static fishing gear reduce dangerous entanglements, near-misses and emergency rescues.
• Encourage Reporting
  Recording static fishing gear incidents and mapping high-risk areas will provide the evidence needed for reform.
• Make existing guidance mandatory and enforce it
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) voluntary guidance on 'Static fishing gear: Design of ends' should become enforceable regulation.

Campaign Manifesto:
Marked Gear = Safe Gear

Our Manifesto

We believe that:

1. Safety at sea is everyone’s responsibility – all who use our waters must play their part.
2. Poorly marked static fishing gear is dangerous – unmarked or inadequately marked lobster pots and other static fishing gear pose a serious risk to navigation, safety and even lives.
3. Good practice deserves support - most fishermen already comply with the MCA voluntary guidance, but their efforts are undermined by the dangerous actions of the irresponsible minority who fail to comply.
4. Voluntary measures have failed – clearly the voluntary guidance is not enough and has not worked.
5. Regulation is essential – the MCA voluntary guidance must be made mandatory and enforced through legislation where necessary.

Our Mission

To reduce the risk and make our waters safer, we will:

1. Highlight Hazards - educate and raise awareness to water users about the hazards posed by unmarked static fishing gear and the potential consequences
2. Document incidents - collect and share data on, and examples of, dangerous entanglement and near-misses to demonstrate the need for reform.
3. Map and publish identified hazards – provide accessible data on high-risk areas.
4. Build partnerships – work alongside and build alliances with those in the fishing and boating communities who share our concerns and support reform.
5. Advocate for regulatory reform – collaborate with regulators to transition from voluntary guidance into mandatory, enforceable legislation.
6. Campaign for policy change - lobby policymakers to prioritise this critical safety issue and enact enforceable reforms.

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Lobster Pot Campaign Alliance Partners