Escape hatches on lobster pots

Fishermen on the East Yorkshire coast say a simple redesign for thousands of lobster pots is protecting the wider marine environment.

An "escape hatch" built into the side of pots is preventing so-called "bycatch" and allowing young lobsters, fish and other marine life to escape.

Bycatch – the unintentional capture of non-target species – is causing increasing concern to conservationists.

Grant Watson, who works aboard a Bridlington-based fishing boat, said the redesigned pots were helping ensure a "stronger future" for the shellfish industry by minimising its impact.

"It's letting the smaller stuff get out. It reduces fighting in the pots between species. It's reducing deaths in the pots," Watson added