Positive news on the bass front - and sea angling in general

[John D]

Hi.

Below is some correspondence I recently received that bodes well for the future. It really goes to show what can be achieved when we all pull together to do something for the greater good.
While there is still much work to be done in facing the many obstacles that still exist, it is extremely encouraging!

Enjoy the read,
John D.


"Coveney Rejects Commercial Sea Bass Fishing Proposal
The following is taken from the latest Marine Times.
 
Minister Simon Coveney has finally decided to refuse the two year old request by the Federation of Irish Fishermen [FIF] to allow the commercial fishing of sea bass in the Celtic Sea. The Minister has confirmed that he is ‘not proposing changes at this time to the current arrangements in relation to bass fishing.
 
Taken from the Irish Times October 19th
 
The Friends of the Irish Environment has welcomed a decision by Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney to turn down a request to permit commercial catching of sea bass in the Celtic Sea.Sea bass have been protected since 1990, but only permanently since 2006.There is a complete ban on commercial exploitation and anglers are only permitted to keep two fish of more than 40cm in length in any 24-hour period.A number of sea angling associations have opposed a proposal by the Federation of Irish Fishermen to permit commercial catching of the species in the Celtic Sea area.
 
 
On behalf of Irish Bass I would like to congratulate all of you who helped make this happen. I met Simon Coveney myself about this issue and he confirmed the same to me. Letters and emails really make a difference and show the Department of Fisheries and the Ministers involved that bass anglers, who have looked after our stock so well for over 20 years, can not be walked over and taken for granted.
To put this achievement into perspective, there has never been a case in the EU where a Fisheries Minister rejected a proposal made by commercial fishermen where they were backed by scientific advice(Marine Institute bass report 2009). Our achievement is all the greater given that two of the previous ministers had publicly stated that they were in favour of commercial fishing for bass.
 
Well done to you all and remember that lobbying works.
By the way Irish Bass is currently involved in the new IFI forum, The Bass Policy Group and the Tourism Strategy Group. We are still working on behalf of all bass anglers and will continue to do so.
 
Keep up the good work and lets "look after our bass"
 
John Quinlan,
Irish Bass."

[JimC]

The Minister has confirmed that he is ‘not proposing changes at this time to the current arrangements in relation to Bass fishing.

The minister also said he regarded the proposal as submitted by the commercial sector to have lapsed (bass taken outside 51.30deg etc).

Just wait for a new proposal to be submitted.

The commercial sector is clambering to get their hands on bass.

Joe Duffy's show today is good example.

There is not much there that bodes well for the future....the lobbying will have to be ongoing.

[JimC]

Got a brief opportunity to speak to Minister Coveney about bass. I was impressed with his knowledge and encouraged by his attitude. I have no doubt there was/is and will be huge pressure brought to bear by commercial fishing interests but I think the Minister has a grasp of the real issues. Very Encouraging!

[JimH]

Excellent

[stevo74]

Great news! Finally something positive from our beloved politicians!!

[thekid]

politicians are listening yay.yay.

[fisherboy]

politicians are listening yay.yay.

funny enough illegal bass fishing is on the increase here in east cork ....what good is the ban....

[stox 1]

What a joke.....a ban on commercial Bass fishing with no funds to enforce it! Get Real! When I see stiff prosecutions and seizures of equipment [including boats] then I will consider this a result but until then it remains mere paperwork and unfulfilled promises.

[JimC]

politicians are listening yay.yay.

funny enough illegal Bass fishing is on the increase here in east cork ....what good is the ban....

Indeed it is. I suppose this was always going to be the case. There still are illegal drugs being sold. Scumbags still beat up and steal from children and old people. It is always going to be difficult to eradicate crime, more so crime committed on the water.

Still, just as illegal fishing is on the increase so are the incidents of the criminals getting caught. It is superb to see anglers reporting illegal activity and this is happening all the time. We are watching and we are making the phone calls! I have no doubt that 24hr protection on the water will help…

Our bass, and they belong to all of us, have the potential to help the country get out of its current state. Tourism has the potential to benefit all of us. Criminals skulking around netting bass and selling them in the Black Economy helps nobody but feeds the greed and short sightedness.

[beachbuddy]

politicians are listening yay.yay.

funny enough illegal Bass fishing is on the increase here in east cork ....what good is the ban....

Could'nt agree more that there is a lot of illegal bass netting going on in east cork,but unfortunately this has ALWAYS been the case and always been the same group.Its very ironic having a ban as it has'nt stopped this type of thing going on since it was introduced,the only thing the ban has done is made it a bit more difficult to sell irish caught bass openly which is a good thing.
Until such time that heavy fines and confiscation of boats not just equipment become the norm to the few individuals that get caught then the bass will continue to be targetted by a few ordinary decent criminals .Our fishery protection officers are so over stretched these days that they do need us anglers to help out ie keep making the calls if illegal netting etc going on,even set up watch groups it does help trust me.
Ive even heard some boat owners that have had their hands slapped by the law for bass infringements in the past have employed like minded skippers with no blemishes on their records[yet] so as to avoid boat seizures if caught with bass onboard again,too many loopholes in our judicinal system and too much red tape for the fishery officers to act straight on information no matter how accurate.
The law will have to come down much harder on these illegal operations for the bass ban to really work but without it i guarantee we would have little or no bass around our coast of ireland,so its vital for all true anglers to keep fighting the fight to keep the bass ban enforced,before the ambitions of some skippers to wipe the bass stocks off the coast are realised.
In conclusion any bass ban of sorts is a good thing and just needs fine tuning to really be successful.
Tight lines

[fisherboy]

we should name and shame the people doing this anglers included on this site we all know who they are

[beachbuddy]

Yes we all know who they are,but unfortunately the famous red tape and legalities would have the site and ourselves up the creek without a paddle as we would be the guilty ones in the eyes of the law

[jd]

we should name and shame the people doing this anglers included on this site we all know who they are

No naming and shaming, I'm afraid. By all means put up reports on court cases etc