93 ton of crab taken from wxford harbour (this cant b right)

[murnblood]

I am informed that a total of 93 ton of crab have been taken from wexford harbor in past months, all in the name of whelk bait I believe.

I am flabbergasted to find that this practice is carried out indiscriminately without any restrictions to either size, time of year or quota.

What also irks me is the fact that any good work carried out in the name of conservation i.e bass and wild fowl can be allowed to be undermined by the very bodies that have placed them under there protection.

Whats the point in putting these creatures under protection if you are only going to starve them anyway.

I would like to refer you to the letter sent to Ministers Smith & Sargent by Member: BASS POINT.

And wonder if it would be beneficial if a petition by our members would help in any way?

Dear Minister Smith, & Minister Sargent

I write this letter to make you aware of a serious situation that exists in the Suir Estuary. I am pretty certain that this affects other areas
in and around the coast as well. It involves the removal of small shore crabs from the food chain, this will result in the complete fall off
of fish in the area because this is the main item in the food chain , for fish along our coast. These shore crabs are being taken without any open or closed season,
in fact they have are been taken in the height of their season. Female crabs carrying eggs, small and large crabs too, because there is no size limit on what can be taken,
no open or closed season or no maximum or minimum amount that can be taken from the estuary.

This is serious, similar has happened before in the North Sea, where fish stocks and bird stocks were severely damaged, when too many sand eels were taken.
We are doing the same thing to the food chain, along the Irish coast. I would ask you as a matter of urgency, to have a look at this matter, I am not sure if the number
of crab are being recorded,because they are being off loaded at small harbours along the estuary and taken directly to the company in Dxxxxxx Exxx, which is
exporting them.

Please investigate this as soon as possible, as I think it is going to totally destroy the inshore fishing industry.

Regards,

James Mc Cartan ( XXXXXXX )

90 XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
Waterford
086-26xxxxx

[Tanglerat]

murnblood, I've added in the quotes to make it clear between what you're saying and what BASS POINT wrote.

Instead of a petition, I've always favoured a letterwriting campaign. That ensures each letter gets it's own reply from the Dept.

To try to make sure they can't use a single template reply, each letter should be as individual as possible ie ask a slighty different question to the other letters. Asking a question is good, there's more chance of someone having to sit down and think out an individual answer for you.

All helps to raise the profile of your campaign.

[Chris Mc]

I know for the stop drift netting campain someone posted a link to all the current ministers email adreesses. I sure sending emails to all ministers regarding this matter would be of benifit if someone could post that link again,

Thanks

[BASS POINT]

look at this link email for all the MINISTERS

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?l ... 7&docID=-1

[John D]

Good work BASSPOINT.

Thanks for the link,
John D.

[Chris Mc]

Thanks bass point

[BASS POINT]

Dear James,

This is to confirm that I have received your email regarding the above and that I have put down a Parliamentary Question in the matter. I will be back in contact with you again immediately the reply is to hand.

With best regards.

Yours sincerely,


BXXXX XXXXX T.D.

[murnblood]

I have sent a copy of the attached to all departments that i feel would have input to this issue. I.E agri and fisheries,tourism,environment and natural resources.

I hope that at least one of them can provide more info.

Dear Sirs

I am writing this note to you to congratulate you on the steps that your and other departments have made in the area of conservation particularly in respect of inshore fish, i.e. sea bass, wild salmon, wild fowl and other marine creatures.

However now that these creatures are afforded protection from capture, disturbance to there environment, pollution etc we have now decided to starve them.

I am referring to the practice of taking tons of shore crab from our estuaries.
I have heard reports that 93 ton of shore crab were taken from Wexford harbor in recent months. I cannot help thinking that this practice is just not right.

It is a known fact that the shore crab make up a substantial part of the staple diet for both inshore fish and wild fowl but I am not aware of any studies or research carried out to see what the removal of the shore crab would have on other wild life.

I hope that you can help me with answers to the following list of questions just to put my mind at ease.

1. Who benefits from fishing for the shore crab?
2. What are the catches of shore crab used for exactly?
3. Will the inevitable fall in inshore fish stocks have any effect on the tourism to our shores?
4. Are there any official figures pertaining to the amounts of crab taken in Ireland?
5. What size restrictions are imposed on captures shore crab?
6. What quotas are imposed on the catches of shore crab?
7. Is any consideration given to the breeding cycle of the shore crab so bans can be imposed at certain times of the year?

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

P.S. I will be sending a copy of this letter to other departments also just so they can be up to speed if you have to confer.



Best regards


Mxxxxx Bxxx

[murnblood]

To BASS POINT

Thanks for the info and links they are in my bookmarks now.

[John D]

Hi all,

Just to let you know that I have wrote to all ministers and head's of state on the matter.

Regards,
John D.

[slowarm]

I've been in touch with the Coastal Zone Managers office re: this subject. They did not know about this and thank us for informing them. They need a bit more information.

Can anyone say how the crabs are being removed? Where are they going - to whom? PM me if preferred.

Thanks,

Steven