Fish Traps?

[Joesaila]

Hesper reminded me of Fish Traps at the mouth of the Sakonnet River in Rhode Island. I was approaching the area last year while hoping to find a safe anchorage from some rough seas. I noted in my guide a little 'beware of the fish traps' note and when I spotted them, was amazed that these things are even legal. It was a series of big drums cabled together a couple of hundred yards long! They are set different angles on both sides of the entrance. This along with the following seas that often take place at the entrance of any river is an insane hazard. Can anyone give a good reason why these are allowed?
The reason that its some how related to an old established way of fishing does not justify it, anymore than would fishing with WWII mines [if that were ever tried, and I know it wasn't]. The fish traps are a man made hazard!

[tommays]

They been here more or less forever and are on the charts ?

[Joesaila]

Originally Posted by tommays

They been here more or less forever and are on the charts ?

They are not on my charts nor the 'modern ones' on Active Captain. Polio has been around forever too, but we address it.

[JimsCAL]

First saw some off Newport 25 years ago. SCARY!! Very hard to spot in bad weather.

[SVCarolena]

Exiting Herrington Harbor South on the Chesapeake there is a fish trap to port, if I recall. It looks like a bunch of sticks coming up from the bottom. It isn't on chart. Then again, neither are crab and lobster pots. Not a problem in daylight, but can get hairy at night.

[christyleigh]

Originally Posted by Joesaila

Can anyone give a good reason why these are allowed?

Well..... it may not be a "GOOD" reason.... but Fish = $ Money $ is why they are there. A fisherman friend of mine told me years ago that RI and I think only 1 other state still allow such things in their waters.
I keep my boat in RI but live in Mass so I have no vote in the matter.