Conservation Strategy

[hottopic]

.Europe's fishermen are plundering its seas almost uncontrolled, endangering stocks and their own livelihoods
.The ability to catch fish is outstripping their ability to reproduce
.About four-fifths of species in EU waters are being over fished
.Millions of immature fish are thrown back dead into the sea because they cannot be sold commercially
.Scarce species are being blatantly harvested in unsustainable numbers with little monitoring or enforcement
.The European Court of Auditors have found that quotas were not properly monitored and illegal fishing only lightly punished
.Cod stocks in the Irish Sea are now considered "to be in a state of collapse" and are expected to decline further , the EPA examination of estuarine and coastal waters has warned
.Given the "perilous state" of cod stocks in Irish waters, the EPA said it is likely that severe measures, such as multi-area closures in certain areas will be required to ensure the long-term sustainability of these stocks.

.The above point really applies to all fish in our coastal waters!

I have been browsing this website recently and have come across several postings regarding conservation issues and thus decided to make a contribution.

The above are quotes from various groups in response to the current and future levels of fish stocks surrounding our coast.

We are now faced with commercial fishermen making a play for bass fishing to reopen and people wonder how can anglers make a serious counter argument to protect this species and several others which are in a critical state.

The angling community must come together under one umbrella to present a case. The group must be transparent and also be able to present details of member numbers..Strength in numbers. If a serious case is to be presented a strategy needs to be set out. Perhaps a public relations company needs to be involved to create a formal lobbying strategy. An understanding of our commercial fisherman is essential so their arguments can be addressed, understood and negated. And where should it start?...letters to TD`s?..Not very effective. The Fisheries Boards, (CFB) are statutory bodies in Ireland responsible for the development and protection of angling. The CEO`s of these bodies are frequently in front of the Ministers who are in a position to change or unchange fisheries laws. This would be the first port of call in any lobbying drive.

Proposals must be factual, balanced and supported by leaders in its field (research groups, marine groups).These leaders should be enticed to head the drive as they will be respected and known and hence they will be leant an ear. Anglers must lead by example and ensure their own house is clean.Whether this regards mackeral, bass, whiting,seals...pandas!! etc! Careful what comments are made about taking fish in a public domain..it can all be rehashed and used against anglers! Opinions must be listened to and be discussed. People who think they are knowledgeable but are not can be absolutely detrimental to the cause. Unfortunately they are everywhere!

Many of the above points are how commercial fisherman go about lobbying for change. Shore angling groups must box smart and above their weight for change to occur. It is clear that there is a lot of raw emotion out there which is a good thing but it must be channeled and directed in effective way.

I hope some points will be taken on board.

[slowarm]

Right with you on this.

[Tanglerat]

Interesting first post, hottopic, and welcome to the site.

We all know, roughly, each other on this site. If not personally, then by location, attitude, and interest. Most of us are anglers, a few from the academic world, some are employed by statutory bodies.

What are you?

[SaintJude]

Excellent, hard hitting posting - all of this needed to be said - let's see now how the angling community within Ireland reacts to the challenge you have set us.

I agree entirely with the central tenet of your posting and fully support your efforts to galvanise the angling community into action before it is too late. I know that your comments have already been noted by those in a position to influence a change of approach to matters of conservation. I would encourage you to continue your campaign in this well considered, accurately researched and measured way.

I fully agree also that the way forward is for the entire angling community to speak with a single, clear and authoratative voice - not the ineffective and defeatist utterances of those who currently claim to speak on behalf of Angling in Ireland. I also feel that we need to bring pressure to bear upon those who have the statutory responsibility to preserve the natural heritage and resources of Ireland and those whose role it is to promote and market angling for the economic benefit of the nation as a whole.

More power to you. Let me know how we can best support your efforts. Unity is strength.

Good luck

SaintJude

[Martin Mc Gowan]

just like to say i agree 100% with this issue something has to be done

[DSull]

well said 100% with u hope to hear more hopefully this can be the start of something good for sea angling

.Europe's fishermen are plundering its seas almost uncontrolled, endangering stocks and their own livelihoods
.The ability to catch fish is outstripping their ability to reproduce
.About four-fifths of species in EU waters are being over fished
.Millions of immature fish are thrown back dead into the sea because they cannot be sold commercially
.Scarce species are being blatantly harvested in unsustainable numbers with little monitoring or enforcement
.The European Court of Auditors have found that quotas were not properly monitored and illegal fishing only lightly punished
.Cod stocks in the Irish Sea are now considered "to be in a state of collapse" and are expected to decline further , the EPA examination of estuarine and coastal waters has warned
.Given the "perilous state" of cod stocks in Irish waters, the EPA said it is likely that severe measures, such as multi-area closures in certain areas will be required to ensure the long-term sustainability of these stocks.

.The above point really applies to all fish in our coastal waters!

I have been browsing this website recently and have come across several postings regarding conservation issues and thus decided to make a contribution.

The above are quotes from various groups in response to the current and future levels of fish stocks surrounding our coast.

We are now faced with commercial fishermen making a play for Bass fishing to reopen and people wonder how can anglers make a serious counter argument to protect this species and several others which are in a critical state.

The angling community must come together under one umbrella to present a case. The group must be transparent and also be able to present details of member numbers..Strength in numbers. If a serious case is to be presented a strategy needs to be set out. Perhaps a public relations company needs to be involved to create a formal lobbying strategy. An understanding of our commercial fisherman is essential so their arguments can be addressed, understood and negated. And where should it start?...letters to TD`s?..Not very effective. The Fisheries Boards, (CFB) are statutory bodies in Ireland responsible for the development and protection of angling. The CEO`s of these bodies are frequently in front of the Ministers who are in a position to change or unchange fisheries laws. This would be the first port of call in any lobbying drive.

Proposals must be factual, balanced and supported by leaders in its field (research groups, marine groups).These leaders should be enticed to head the drive as they will be respected and known and hence they will be leant an ear. Anglers must lead by example and ensure their own house is clean.Whether this regards mackeral, Bass, whiting,seals...pandas!! etc! Careful what comments are made about taking fish in a public domain..it can all be rehashed and used against anglers! Opinions must be listened to and be discussed. People who think they are knowledgeable but are not can be absolutely detrimental to the cause. Unfortunately they are everywhere!

Many of the above points are how commercial fisherman go about lobbying for change. Shore angling groups must box smart and above their weight for change to occur. It is clear that there is a lot of raw emotion out there which is a good thing but it must be channeled and directed in effective way.

I hope some points will be taken on board.

[pete]

Needs to be done, 100 % behind it.