Swimmers who take to the sea at Budleigh Salterton are becoming entangled in fishing lines.
Louise MacAllister, who often swims there, contacted the Journal to outline the problems and call for a code of conduct for anglers after some were said to have been abusive to swimmers.
It seems that as a result of lockdown, more people are ‘wild’ swimming and more people have taken up angling.
Dr MacAllister said she was swimming at Budleigh Salterton when her tow float became entangled.
“I saw lots of anglers so I found a gap and had a very bright tow float and a very bright hat on,” she said.
“But I still managed to get tangled up with a fishing line around my tow float. When I got in there were lots of barbs right next to my leg.
She said the angler was apologetic but felt that didn’t excuse the fact that he hadn’t pulled his line in. She said another swimmer who became entangled the day before “swam in to a torrent of abuse which is really not on”.
Dr MacAllister explained: “On Saturday June 12 there were at least two very regrettable and potentially dangerous incidents involving swimmers and anglers at Budleigh Salterton Beach.
“Firstly, at 14:30, a local man and regular all-year swimmer who is in the sea almost every day, became tangled in fishing line while swimming. He was quite unable to see the line until tangled.
“Upon coming ashore, he received a torrent of abuse from the angler. A kind couple came to help him disentangle, which took approximately five minutes, the abusive language continuing the whole time. This swimmer has been left traumatized by the incident and was unable to sleep that night as a result.”
Dr MacAllister said: “Secondly, at approximately 19:00, I went for a swim. I am also a year-round regular swimmer, and upon seeing fishers all along the coast, chose the largest gap I could see and proceeded to swim straight out rather than along the coast.
“I took the additional precautions of taking my bright pink tow float and wearing a bright green swim hat to ensure I was visible.
“I swam 120 metres out and had moved along the shore somewhat with the current. I started swimming parallel to the beach to get back in line with my starting spot, slowly coming back towards the shore but maintaining a good distance out.
“I was about 60 to 80 metres out when I felt a snag on my leg. I was really shocked to realise it was a fishing line that far out, but I could soon then see that it was and was wrapped around my tow float.
“Aware of possible barbs I commenced a slow one-handed swim back to shore, holding the tow float and line well away from me with the other hand.
“Luckily I am experienced and was not panicked. Upon making it ashore the angler was apologetic but the barbs had been incredibly close to my legs. Another nearby angler kindly came over and further apologised and was annoyed at the angler who had entangled me for not pulling his line in so I am aware this is not an issue with all anglers and that plenty are aware of good practice in sharing the space.”
Dr MacAllister said she was aware from swimming Facebook groups of similar incidents at Sidmouth and Teignmouth, and of a swimmer finding a lot of discarded hooks on the beach at Seaton.
She said the incidents raised some important points. She said:
Budleigh especially has become a real hot spot for both sea fishers and swimmers. It seems to offer perfect conditions for both! It used to be the case that there would be a lot of mackerel fishing activity at high tide but it now seems popular at all tide states. This can mean that for swimmers, they cannot enter the water without doing so far closer to anglers than both parties would like.
There is burgeoning evidence of the benefit of time in blue space, a real desire post lockdown to get out, plus a benefit to our local economy from visitors which is all really great to see.
For safety, swimmers (especially novices or summer-only sea swimmers) are generally advised to stay in depth and swim parallel to shore. This means that on days where there are anglers all along the shoreline, swimming becomes severely constrained.
When swimming, it is absolutely impossible to see fishing lines. No swimmer would deliberately risk entangling themselves but it really is just invisible until you are upon it.
While I completely understand it must be an inconvenience to pull in a line when a swimmer passes, that swimmer is at risk of real injury from barbs, or dangerous entanglement when lines are not pulled in.
At Budleigh there is signage stating that fishers should give way to swimmers. This may not always be seen by beach users but it provides a useful statement.
Dr MaAllister added: “I believe we have an urgent need to work together to ensure the safety of beach users before the school holidays which will exacerbate this issue and there is a real risk to our visitors and locals entering the water if we do not address this.
“I have personally felt opposed to the zoning of beach areas but that may be a consideration that is now needed, maybe within certain hours (weekends and evenings). Or perhaps signage on the beach itself is needed. Options need to be urgently explored and appraised.
“In the meantime, there are actions from both groups that can help.
“Swimmers – to always wear a bright hat and use a bright tow float/dry bay, and to go in where there is space as much as possible.
“Fishers/anglers – pull the line in when they see a swimmer approach and do not cast near swimmers or other sea users (paddleboarders/kayakers).
“Having a respectful dialogue would also help if swimmers could feel confident to talk to fishers about where they are entering the water and planning to swim, but the encounter at 14.30 on June 12 shows this may not always be possible. I believe we can all help to ensure that swimmers and fishers practice these safety measures so we can share the water harmoniously, while also considering if further structural support is needed – but we need to act fast before someone is seriously injured.”
Dr MacAllister shared her concerns with
Devon Angling Association, Devon and Severn IFCA, South West Federation of Sea Anglers, Exmouth Sea Angling Association, The Outdoor Swimming Society, Administrators of Team East Devon Wild Swimming (TEDS), Swim Devon, Tri-Hards, Exmouth RNLI, Surfers against Sewage, Budleigh Salterton town councillor Roger Sherriff, Chair of the Foreshore Committee and Town Mayor, Budleigh Salterton Town Council Clerk Jo Vanstone, East Devon District Council councillors for the Budleigh ward Cllrs Paul Jarvis, Alan Dent and Tom Wright; East Devon District Council councillor Geoff Jung, Portfolio Holder for Coast, Country, and Environment, East Devon District Council Leader councillor Paul Arnott, Devon County Council member for the Budleigh and Littleham Division, cllr Christine Channon.