Monkey River Fishermen Say No to Gillnets The topic of gillnets is one that we have covered extensively on the news. As you know, the fishing gear has sharply divided sectors of the fishing industry and conservation groups. Gillnets are described as indiscriminate and destructive because it traps just about every species in its path. The Ministry of Fisheries has gone as far as to create a task force to reduce the harmful impacts of gillnets, but proponents for a ban of the gear are not satisfie