View source for Physics:Magnet fishing

{{short description|Searching in outdoor waters for ferromagnetic objects}}
[[File:Magnet fishing catch.jpg|thumb|A pair of bolt cutters collected through magnet fishing in the Scarpe at Lallaing, France]]
[[File:Magnet fishing "hook".jpg|thumb|upright|A neodymium magnet used for magnet fishing]]
'''Magnet fishing''', also called '''magnetic fishing''', is searching in outdoor waters for [[Physics:Ferromagnetism|ferromagnetic]] objects available to pull with a strong [[Physics:Neodymium magnet|neodymium magnet]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vaissiere|first1=Elia|last2=Warda|first2=Mathilde|date=31 August 2019|title=Magnet fishing: The explosive hobby cleaning up French rivers|work=[[Software:Yahoo! News|Yahoo! News]]|agency=Agence France-Presse|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411142910/https://news.yahoo.com/magnet-fishing-explosive-hobby-cleaning-french-rivers-030336469.html|access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref> Recovered items may be dangerous, such as firearms, ammunition, and bombs.

== Practitioners ==
People who practice magnet fishing in [[Place:Anglosphere|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.<ref name="Elliott">{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Coran |date=18 August 2018 |title=Safety warning as rise in magnet fishing hobby sees anglers fish out guns and grenades in UK rivers |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/18/safety-warning-rise-magnet-fishing-hobby-sees-anglers-fish-guns/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818164133/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/18/safety-warning-rise-magnet-fishing-hobby-sees-anglers-fish-guns/ |archive-date=18 August 2018}} [https://i.imgur.com/SskJfIT.png Alt URL]</ref>

== Objects recovered ==
Magnet fishing can recover metal [[Physics:Debris|debris]] such as discarded [[Engineering:Bicycle|bicycle]]s, guns,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Givens |first=La'Tasha |date=4 September 2020 |title=Brothers' pandemic hobby leads to alarming find in Georgia river |publisher=WXIA-TV |url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/guns-north-oconee-river-magnet-fishing/85-42ce2e44-9873-4924-8e60-0c8f883d4eac |url-status=live |access-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201211012351/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/guns-north-oconee-river-magnet-fishing/85-42ce2e44-9873-4924-8e60-0c8f883d4eac |archive-date=11 December 2020}}</ref> safes,<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 May 2020 |title=6-Year-Old Boy Finds Stolen Safe At Bottom Of Lake, Solves 8-Year-Old Mystery |publisher=WWJ-TV |url=https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2020/05/20/6-year-old-boy-finds-stolen-safe-bottom-lake-solves-8-year-old-mystery/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928195212/https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2020/05/20/6-year-old-boy-finds-stolen-safe-bottom-lake-solves-8-year-old-mystery/ |archive-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> bombs,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sellew |first=Lauren |date=17 November 2020 |title=Police: Men fishing find pipe bomb on Oregon Road in Meriden |work=Record-Journal |url=https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Meriden/Meriden-News/Police-Men-fishing-find-pipe-bomb-on-Oregon-Road-in-Meriden.html |access-date=10 December 2020}}</ref> grenades,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Forrest |first=Adam |date=22 December 2020 |title=Man pulls 19 hand grenades out of river while magnet fishing |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/birmingham-river-grenades-found-bomb-disposal-b1777636.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222162106/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/birmingham-river-grenades-found-bomb-disposal-b1777636.html |archive-date=22 December 2020}}</ref> coins and car [[Engineering:Tire|tire]] [[Engineering:Rim (wheel)|rims]] from [[Earth:Body of water|bodies of water]], but many who engage in the hobby are hoping to find rare and valuable items as well.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Taschler |first=Joe |date=26 June 2019 |title=Magnet fishing is a slimy new hobby where people pull guns, bikes and weird stuff out of Milwaukee-area rivers, lakes and lagoons |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2019/06/26/magnet-fishing-can-often-slimy-hunt-hidden-treasure/1386557001/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809182703/https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2019/06/26/magnet-fishing-can-often-slimy-hunt-hidden-treasure/1386557001/ |archive-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kousouris |first=Abby |date=19 November 2020 |title=New 'magnet fishing' hobby cleaning up junk and uncovering hidden treasures |publisher=WVLT-TV |url=https://www.wvlt.tv/2020/11/20/new-magnet-fishing-hobby-cleaning-up-junk-and-uncovering-hidden-treasures/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121135518/https://www.wvlt.tv/2020/11/20/new-magnet-fishing-hobby-cleaning-up-junk-and-uncovering-hidden-treasures/ |archive-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>

== Tools ==
[[File:Výbava pro magnet fishing.jpg|thumb|Typical magnet fishing equipment, including protective gloves, a bucket for storing catches, [[Chemistry:Hand sanitizer|antibacterial hand gel]], and a neodymium magnet attached to a rope.]]
Magnet fishing is typically done with gloves,<ref name=":2" /> a strong neodymium magnet secured to a durable rope between {{Convert|50|and(-)|100|feet|meters|order=flip}}, and sometimes a [[Engineering:Grappling hook|grappling hook]] as a supplement to the magnet.<ref name=":3" />

==Potential harms==
Some magnet fishers have retrieved dangerous objects, including loaded guns, unexploded ordnance,<ref name="globe">{{Cite news|last=Abel|first=David|date=20 September 2020|title=Casting about for a new pastime during the pandemic? With magnet fishing, 'it's all about the find'|work=The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/20/metro/casting-about-new-pastime-during-pandemic-with-magnetic-fishing-its-all-about-find/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133818/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/20/metro/casting-about-new-pastime-during-pandemic-with-magnetic-fishing-its-all-about-find/|archive-date=4 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1 September 2020|title=Person 'magnet fishing' in Beaver Dam recovers grenade that was potentially 'live'|url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/person-magnet-fishing-in-beaver-dam-recovers-grenade-that-was-potentially-live|url-status=live|access-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903174448/https://www.fox6now.com/news/person-magnet-fishing-in-beaver-dam-recovers-grenade-that-was-potentially-live|archive-date=3 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=24 January 2020|title='God wasn't watching over him': Boy finds live grenade while magnetic fishing|publisher=WITI|url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/god-wasnt-watching-over-him-boy-finds-live-grenade-while-magnetic-fishing|url-status=live|access-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810110833/https://www.fox6now.com/news/god-was-watching-over-him-boy-finds-live-grenade-while-magnetic-fishing|archive-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> and sharp pieces of metal.<ref name=":2" />

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.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Aubertin|first=Violet|date=26 November 2020|title=Magnet Fishing answers the question, 'What's down there?' (25 photos)|work=SooToday.com|publisher=Village Media|url=https://www.sootoday.com/bold/magnet-fishing-answers-the-question-whats-down-there-25-photos-2904948|url-status=live|access-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126171207/https://www.sootoday.com/bold/magnet-fishing-answers-the-question-whats-down-there-25-photos-2904948|archive-date=26 November 2020}}</ref> [[Medicine:Tetanus|Tetanus]] can also be a risk for those without an up-to-date [[Medicine:Tetanus vaccine|tetanus vaccine]].<ref name=":1" />{{Medical citation needed|date=July 2022}}

==Magnet fishing and the law==
[[File:Dopravní značka vytažená z řeky pomocí silného magnetu pro magnet fishing a pevného lana.jpg|thumb|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.<ref name="globe" />

=== Belgium ===
Amateur magnet-fishers in Belgium helped the police by recovering new evidence, specifically [[Engineering:Firearm|firearm]]s and [[Engineering:Ammunition|ammunition]], related to the crimes of the Brabant killers.<ref name="Bende van Nijvel">{{cite news |author1=<!--Not stated--> |date=26 October 2017 |title='Magneetvissers' bezorgen dozen met munitie en wapens aan speurders Bende van Nijvel |language=nl |work=De Standaard |publisher=Nieuwsblad.be |agency=Raad voor de journalistiek |location=Antwerp, Belgium |url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20171026_03154116 |access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>

In general, police urge those who find weapons or similar items to contact them.<ref name="Elliott" /><ref name="windsorstar">{{cite news |last=Chen |first=Dalson |date=10 March 2020 |title='Magnet fishing' hobbyist finds firearm in water at Reaume Park in east Windsor |work=Windsor Star |url=https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/magnet-fishing-hobbyist-finds-firearm-in-water-at-reaume-park/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411142913/https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/magnet-fishing-hobbyist-finds-firearm-in-water-at-reaume-park/ |archive-date=11 April 2020}}</ref>

=== 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”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WebStrategy |date=2018-02-15 |title=PÊCHE À L'AIMANT : LANCEZ-VOUS ! |url=https://ilovedetection.com/peche-a-laimant-lancez-vous/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=ilovedetection |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

=== Germany ===
In [[Place:Hamburg|Hamburg]], magnet fishing without a permit is punishable by fine.<ref name="RND">{{cite news |date=23 May 2019 |title=Behörde warnt eindringlich vor Magnetangeln |language=de |trans-title=Authority warns urgently against magnetic fishing |work=Peiner Allgemeine Zeitung |publisher=Madsack GmbH & Co. |agency=RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland |location=Hamburg |url=https://www.paz-online.de/Nachrichten/Der-Norden/Hamburg-Behoerde-warnt-eindringlich-vor-Magnetangeln |access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="Landesrecht">{{cite web |date=5 December 1995 |title=Umweltgebührenordnung (UmwGebO) Vom 5. Dezember 1995 |trans-title=Environmental fee schedule (UmwGebO) From December 5, 1995 |url=http://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/jportal/portal/page/bshaprod.psml?showdoccase=1&st=null&doc.id=jlr-UmwGebOHAV30Anlage2&doc.part=X&doc.origin=bs |access-date=29 July 2019 |website=Landesrecht online |language=de |location=Hamburg}}</ref>

=== 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<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-09-13|title=The hidden dangers of magnet fishing|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-47801408|access-date=2020-10-18}}</ref> for magnet-fishing or removing any material from canal or inland navigation under the control of the Canal & River Trust in {{wipe|England}} or Wales, other than the Lee and Stort Navigation, Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, and River Severn Navigation.<ref name="Canal">{{cite web|date=24 February 1965|title=General Canal Bye-laws|url=http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/media/documents/foi/legal/BW_General_Canal_Bye-laws.pdf#page=16|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920100457/http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/media/documents/foi/legal/BW_General_Canal_Bye-laws.pdf|archive-date=20 September 2020|access-date=21 August 2018|publisher=British Waterways Board|page=16|quote=41. No person unless authorised by the Board in that behalf or otherwise legally entitled so to do shall: ... (d) Dredge or remove coal or other material from any canal.}}</ref> The Trust "expressly prohibit[s]" the practice, although it refrains from legal action against first-time offenders.<ref name="Elliott"/> In 2018, a child magnet-fished a [[Engineering:Sawed-off shotgun|sawn-off shotgun]] out of the Titford Canal in Oldbury, West Midlands.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2018-08-28/family-find-sawn-off-shotgun-in-canal-oldbury-titford-canal-tipton/|title=Family find sawn-off shotgun in canal|date=28 August 2018|work=ITV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072055/https://www.itv.com/news/central/2018-08-28/family-find-sawn-off-shotgun-in-canal-oldbury-titford-canal-tipton/|archive-date=29 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Poland ===
According to Polish penal code, magnet fishing without a valid government permit is a crime punishable by up to two years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Przeszukiwał rzekę magnesem neodymowym. Znalazł zardzewiałą broń. Grożą mu 2 lata więzienia|url=https://www.polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2018-06-18/przeszukiwal-rzeke-magnesem-neodymowym-znalazl-zardzewiala-bron-groza-mu-2-lat-wiezienia/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Krasnystaw: Przeszukiwał rzekę za pomocą magnesu, wyłowił broń|url=https://lubelska.policja.gov.pl/lub/aktualnosci/80796,Krasnystaw-Przeszukiwal-rzeke-za-pomoca-magnesu-wylowil-bron.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pewien obywatel przeszukiwał rzekę za pomocą magnesu, wyłowił broń i… w przypływie głupoty zadzwonił na policję|url=https://trybun.org.pl/2018/06/19/pewien-obywatel-przeszukiwal-rzeke-za-pomoca-magnesu-wylowil-bron-i-w-przyplywie-glupoty-zadzwonil-na-policje/}}</ref>

=== 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. <ref name="Scottish Canals">{{cite web |title=Magnet Fishing |url=https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/activities/magnet-fishing/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523203025/https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/activities/magnet-fishing/ |archive-date=23 May 2022 |access-date=18 May 2022 |website=Scottish Canals |location=Scotland}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hill |first=Katie |date=December 12, 2022 |title=As Magnet Fishing Booms, More Guns Are Being Pulled from America's Waters. Can Magnet Fishers Legally Keep Them? |url=https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/magnet-fishing-keeping-guns/ |magazine=Outdoor Life|access-date=February 8, 2023}}</ref> 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. <ref>{{cite news|last=Carroll |first=Joe |date=August 5, 2022 |title=New rules in effect for hunting and magnet fishing |url=https://www.wane.com/news/indiana/new-rules-in-effect-for-hunting-and-magnet-fishing/ |work=WANE-TV |location=Fort Wayne, IN |access-date=February 8, 2023}}</ref>

==Popularity==
The hobby has been adopted by celebrities such as English rugby player James Haskell.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=4 February 2018|title=Magnet fishing: England rugby star James Haskell's unusual hobby|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-42664116/magnet-fishing-england-rugby-star-james-haskell-s-unusual-hobby|access-date=11 April 2020|publisher=BBC News|type=video}}</ref><ref name="Elliott" />

==See also==
*{{annotated link|Physics:Metal detector}}
*{{annotated link|Chemistry:Scrap}}
*{{annotated link|Engineering:Tosher}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==


[[Category:Magnetism]]
[[Category:Water pollution]]
[[Category:Metal detecting]]


{{Sourceattribution|Magnet fishing}}