UKRAINE’s defence effort could be bolstered by surplus fishing nets from Jersey – made redundant by recent regulatory changes – with plans to repurpose them into protection against drone attacks.
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.
Islanders who may now have nets they can no longer use are being invited by the Infrastructure and Environment Department’s Marine Resources team to donate them, with the collected equipment to be sent onwards to Ukraine for repurposing as part of “vital anti-drone protection”.
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.”
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 Fisherman’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.
“We fully support it and it will probably help clear out some fishermen’s sheds along the process as well.”
