When reviewing the different electric fishing policies, it is evident that some policies are too restrictive and unacceptable or impossible to comply with. Others are too non-commital and are self defeating. Ideal policy guidelines should not be overly restrictive so as to curtail electric fishing completely but should prohibit the use of electrical unsafe equipment and operating procedures.
For example, the UK Safety Guidelines (NJH&SCWS, 1983) do not prevent electric fishing but prohibit the use of backpack electric fishing gear and metal boats which would cause a serious dilemma in other parts of the world where these units are very popular and used with great success. The new French policy (Ministry of Agriculture Republic of France, 1987) is very comprehensive with regard to equipment construction and safety procedures, however, like the UK policy it also is very stringent. At the other end of the scale, some policies are too bland and not sufficiently explicit. For instance, many include vague statements such as ‘apparatus must be checked at regular intervals by qualified personnel’. This allows too much variation and self interpretation. A good mixture of common sense and workable requirements linked with a reasonable time frame to phase in new requirements is obviously necessary for most policies. Evident in responses from all the jurisdictions was the difference in opinion over the use of metal boats for electric fishing. There was almost unanimous agreement among EIFAC countries that metal boats should not be allowed. The UK guidelines (NJH&SCWS, 1983) allow use of metal boats but essentially make it very difficult to design a metal boat that conformed to the policy. On the other hand, North American agencies with the exception of a few states, allow the use of either type of boat. A few states disallow metal boats only when used as a cathode.
The main reason for not using metal boats is the fear that the boat could become energized by a short, and electrocute the occupants. Also, in the event of a capsize or a person falling overboard, the field is contained all around the boat and a person grasping the boat from the water would likely be electrocuted (especially if the boat is used as a cathode). These are common arguments but unfounded as proper safety precautions can alleviate these dangers and reduce the risk to a minimum.
In North America, the majority of boats are metallic and very few problems have resulted when using properly constructed boats. There are in fact a number of advantages to using metal boats.
Common grounding of all metal objects within a boat should be carried out regardless of whether a boat is metal or non-metal. This is often overlooked in non-metal boats and can lead to capacitance build up and potential shocks. In metal boats grounding is carried out much easier as everything can be bonded to the hull whereas in a non-metal boat, objects have to be ‘linked’ together. Proper bonding should be checked daily with a volt/ohm meter.
An outboard motor in a non-metal boat, because it is in the water, has to be shielded or isolated from the user unless it is bonded to other metallic objects within the boat. Isolation can be difficult and impractical. A reported death due to electric fishing in the USA occurred when an operator touched an ungrounded outboard motor with one hand and a generator frame with the other (J Reynolds, University of Alaska, pers comm).
Metal boats are usually stronger and can be designed for better space utilization and stability.
Another common fallacy regarding metal boats is that when a boat is used as a cathode the occupants risk being shocked by the boat being accidentally energized. In actual fact, the occupants are always at the cathode voltage. An analogy can be made between a metal boat and a bird perched on a high tension power line. The bird is not electrocuted because it is at the same voltage. In a metal boat used as a cathode, the participants are also ‘floating at the same potential’ as the boat and do not get shocked unless they touch something at a different potential.
In the event of an electric short, which might ‘energize’ the boat, the protection of the generator and branch circuits by fuses or circuit breakers would immediately stop the power transmission rendering it harmless. A shock then is very unlikely to happen. Additional safe-guards, however, should also be taken by equipping each occupant in a boat with a positive pressure ‘deadman’ switch. If someone falls overboard, the power is immediately turned off as the pressure is released from the switch. Allowing the use of metal boats if the hull is not used as a cathode is also common in a few American states. This practice is no safer if the above precautions are taken because as long as the hull is in the water, the boat will act as a conductor to the electrical current in the water. It cannot be avoided. Elaborate precautions to insulate the cathode plates from the hull does nothing but add extra expense to the construction of the boat.
‘Earthing’ of electric generator/alternators is another issue which commonly arises. Normally the earth wire is connected to the generator frame, however, it is strongly recommended that this wire be removed essentially making the windings ‘free floating’. This is a good policy because it ensures that the high voltage is isolated from the frame which can easily be touched. Generators which have been altered this way must, however, be clearly marked as such so that they are only used for electric fishing.
