Where are the Tuna Nets between Gibraltar and Portugal?

[andyfollett]

Hi does anyone know where i can find online, the position of the tuna net cardinal marks that im likely to run into on my passage west from GIB?
I understand there are 4 still being worked off Tarifa, Concil, Zahara and Barbate all being Spanish and there might still be some that are laid in east Algarve?
Captain Google hasnt helped and I dont want to buy another almanac just for that info..

Thanks for advice!
Andy.

 

[capnsensible]

The ones you mention in the Straits plus the one at the entrance off Conil can be guaranteed. Well worth giving a wide berth to even if it gives a bit less favourable tide and current.

Went through the Straits a couple of weeks ago but was well over on the Maroc side so didn't actually see the Spanish traps. However, many transits over the years on the north side, not noticed any other nets in other places. They are extremely well marked though.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[RobbieW]

Depends where you're going from Gib. Your chart should show you whats there; there are nets or traps off Tavira and to the W of Lagos (just where you'd want to go on your way to St Vincent). Last year I went direct from Gib to Portimao so cant confirm the Tavira bouyage but I did see the ones off Lagos and was glad we had noted them on the chart. If you're heading N after St Vincent I'm pretty sure we found some unexpected yellow bouyage around Cabo Espichel running in toward Lisbon

 

[GHA]

Latest Spanish charts available here >
http://ideihm.covam.es/visor

And Navionics online can be handy as well. Can't help with what's where, I heard just Barbate this year but that was in a bar.... ..

Various exclusion zones along the Algarve, usually well marked and on the latest charts.

Also very useful is comparing marinetraffic density with the charts to see which bits are boat free>

 

[Heckler]

Nothing out when we came to Faro the other minth.

 

[capnsensible]

Those Spanish Charts are fantastic! Ta. :encouragement:

 

[andyfollett]

Thanks all. The Spanish charts on line are great. Just used them to update my old paper charts with the net positions. Perfect Thanks so much.

 

[GHA]

Some traffic density Kap files available here if anyone is interested >

https://github.com/boatybits/kap_files


Then maybe a couple of minutes learning ho to create chart groups if you haven't figured it out already >
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=opencpn:opencpn_user_manual:charts:chart_groups_tab

Might stash some google earth kap files of guadiana and a few other places in there if anyone is interested..

 

[25931]

Hi does anyone know where i can find online, the position of the tuna net cardinal marks that im likely to run into on my passage west from GIB?
I understand there are 4 still being worked off Tarifa, Concil, Zahara and Barbate all being Spanish and there might still be some that are laid in east Algarve?
Captain Google hasnt helped and I dont want to buy another almanac just for that info..

Thanks for advice!
Andy.

You need to be aware that they are often moved so you need to keep a good lookout either side of Faro - not a major problem in good vis. or when they are lit but on an overcast day in a bit of a blow they do catch a boat from time to time.
There are many strings of octopus pots, not all of which are well flagged and there is no way of knowing in advance.

 

[capnsensible]

There are also an awful lot of pot markers in the shallower waters from Cape Trafalgar to Faro. Fortunately, most of them are fairly well marked, but I would stay out at night. Were, er , the fishing boats are!

I reckon the nastiest hazards are the ODAS buoys in that area. Some are yellow but small, some are silver with a tiny aerial and very hard to see even during daylight. They are on charts but position does of course alter with tidal flow. The one SE of Tarifa is almost dragged under at some states of tide.

Go careful out there!