Jusr when we're getting rid of them.....

[slowarm]

Minister objects to quota transfer.....

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1129/fish.html

[JonnyB]

It's a scary time.

I believe that a renewed effort is required now in writing to / emailing Minister Connick regarding the importance of the recreational bass fishery, and the irreperable damage that a return to commercial fishing for the species would cause.

There is a high probability that he is considering giving the bass to the commercials as a parting gift, and in a last ditch effort to buy votes and save his seat.

Please, please write to him (again), particularly if you live / have an address in his constituency, or are a regular visitor to the South East region to fish for bass. Remind him that tourism forms an essential part of the economic growth that is required for his Government's 4-year plan to work, and that recreational bass fishing tourism has been increasing exponentially over the last couple of years in particular bringing a much-needed boost to coastal tourism.

Thanks

[spiral]

A scary time indeed. I have no problem with people writing to him, after all every little helps, and tourism is boosted by this countrys bass fishing....no question. I just wonder why you feel he might give bass fishing over to the commercials?

[kevin o connor]

I have written to him and e-mailed him in the past. He just passes the book. Remember he did not look for his post, he just took what was offered, and the extra money.

[JonnyB]

Unfortunately for us Minister Connick's sympathies with the commercial fishing sector are well known, and previous entries on his website leave no doubt on his position with regard to cod quotas / discards, exploitation of bass etc. In fact, when John Quinlan and others met him last month representing the Irish bass group, the Minister actually pointed out that he was "there to represent the commercial sector"!! It seems he needs to re-read his job description. (Somebody recently told me that he has some family members who are commercial fishermen in Wexford, but I have not checked this to confirm whether it is true.)

So that's why I think the danger now is greater than ever - he knows he will be out of government by March at the latest, and so this will be his last chance to make the changes his commercial friends are asking for. One stroke of the pen to buy a few votes and destroy our wonderful bass fishery, perhaps forever. We need to let him know that this will not be allowed.

[g lennon]

Surely with the decline in commercial fishing ( & commercial fishermen), the number of anglers in the general Wexford area must well outnumber them ?? - More Anglers, more votes ?? I would suggest the Minister browse through blogs such as Henry Gilbey, Mike Ladle & a lot of others to see what they think of ireland as an absolute gem as a Bass Angling destination & these are only the guys who write about their many visits over here. Think of all those who come over that we hear nothing about. I've met lots of English & French Anglers who holiday over here twice & maybe three times a year, just to catch a Bass !!!

Thight Lines.