Physics:Magnet fishing

Short description: Searching in outdoor waters for ferromagnetic objects

A pair of bolt cutters collected through magnet fishing in the Scarpe at Lallaing, France

A neodymium magnet used for magnet fishing

Magnet fishing, also called magnetic fishing, is searching in outdoor waters for ferromagnetic objects available to pull with a strong neodymium magnet. Recovered items may be dangerous, such as firearms, ammunition, and bombs.

Practitioners

People who practice magnet fishing in Anglo-Saxon countries may be called magnetfishers, magneteteers, or neodemons.

It is thought magnet fishing was initially started by boaters using magnets to recover fallen keys from the water.

Objects recovered

Magnet fishing can recover metal debris such as discarded bicycles, guns, safes, bombs, grenades, coins and car tire rims from bodies of water, but many who engage in the hobby are hoping to find rare and valuable items as well.

Tools

Typical magnet fishing equipment, including protective gloves, a bucket for storing catches, antibacterial hand gel, and a neodymium magnet attached to a rope.

Magnet fishing is typically done with gloves, a strong neodymium magnet secured to a durable rope between 15 and 30 meters (50–100 ft), and sometimes a grappling hook as a supplement to the magnet.

Potential harms

Some magnet fishers have retrieved dangerous objects, including loaded guns, unexploded ordnance, and sharp pieces of metal.

Neodymium magnets are powerful and can interfere with pacemakers, posing a health risk; they can also damage other electronic devices. Fingers can get crushed between the magnet and a piece of metal, potentially causing serious bodily harm. Tetanus can also be a risk for those without an up-to-date tetanus vaccine.

Magnet fishing and the law

Street sign pulled out of the Jizera in Svijany, Czech Republic, with the magnet used to retrieve it still attached to the signpost.

Depending on the jurisdiction, anything of value may belong to the local government, not the finder.

Belgium

Amateur magnet-fishers in Belgium helped the police by recovering new evidence, specifically firearms and ammunition, related to the crimes of the Brabant killers.

In general, police urge those who find weapons or similar items to contact them.

France

The rules of magnet fishing are the same as those governing the detection of buried objects:

“No one may use equipment capable of detecting metallic objects for the purpose of searching for monuments and objects likely to be of interest to prehistory, history, art or archaeology without first obtaining an administrative authorisation issued in accordance with the applicant’s qualifications and the nature and manner of the search”.

Germany

In Hamburg, magnet fishing without a permit is punishable by fine.

England and Wales

Magnet fishing is subject to local regulations concerning outdoor waters. The Canal & River Trust, which owns most of the canals in England and Wales, has bylaws prohibiting people from removing material from the canal and rivers it owns, so fishers may be subject to a £25 fine for magnet-fishing or removing any material from canal or inland navigation under the control of the Canal & River Trust in England or Wales, other than the Lee and Stort Navigation, Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, and River Severn Navigation. The Trust "expressly prohibit[s]" the practice, although it refrains from legal action against first-time offenders. In 2018, a child magnet-fished a sawn-off shotgun out of the Titford Canal in Oldbury, West Midlands.

Poland

According to Polish penal code, magnet fishing without a valid government permit is a crime punishable by up to two years imprisonment.

Scotland

Magnet fishing is allowed in Scotland, as long as the fisher has obtained a Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic Environment Scotland, and permission from Scottish Canals. An official group exists which gives its members permission to magnet fish in a stretch of the Union Canal in Edinburgh, with more locations planned in the future. Archaeological or historical finds must be reported to Treasure Trove Scotland.

United States

In the US, there are no federal laws restricting metal fishing. Magnet fishing in state waters without a license is prohibited in South Carolina under the Underwater Antiquities Act. In Indiana, magnet fishing is allowed on public waters on Department of Natural Resources properties by permit. The magnet must be able to be carried and retrieved by hand.

Popularity

The hobby has been adopted by celebrities such as English rugby player James Haskell.

See also

• Physics:Metal detector – Electronic instrument which detects the presence of metal nearby
• Chemistry:Scrap – Recyclable materials left over from manufactured products after their use
• Engineering:Tosher – Someone who scavenges in the sewers