Illegal Bass Fishing

When i joined this site over 6 years back the same problums existed.....i said back then that the only way to get the C.F.B./I.F.I to act was to protest outside there head offices...............why dont few of us get together and orginise a protest outside the I.F.I head office in clonmel.....we av nothing to lose......and an lot to be gained............i b a man of the world and know first hand that,... Actions Speak louder...........
I also said that the C.F.B. shud be disbanded (and jailed ) most are farmers sons that havent a clue about fish or fishing............ask em. , how or why they were put in charge of fishery protection is a joke..............i know most of the officers in the S.R.F.B..............headless chickens/wasters/gyers..if anyone from C.F.B./I.F.I would like to comment on this?????????????? but they wont cos there wasters.
PROTESTS...................ONLY ANSWER.

Rant over,,,,,,,,,,,,for now

http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironm...n__6.12.08.pdf.

Its good that people are getting emotional over the topic..it shows they care!!!

Why don`t you (cortaz) contact the CEO of the local Office...make your report and ask them what is happening to tackle the problem...then come back and report to us?....sounds like a better plan than sitting on the fence and making very general comments....what do you think?

Still waiting for someone invovled to take up my suggestion...meanwhile the comments become more one sided!!!

WHEN YOU BANG YOUR HEAD OFF A BRICK AND END UP WITH ONLY A BUMP YOU START TO WONDER WHY YOU BOTHERED IN THE FIRST PLACE.IF SOMETHING IS AFFECTING ME AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN I USUALLY SORT IT MY SELF.AFTER YOU HAVE HIT THERE POCKETS A FEW TIMES THEY WILL PUSH OFF AND DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.AND EVENTUALLY THEY WILL STEP OUT OF THERE BOAT IN TO THE LONG ARMS OF THE LAW. BY PULLING IN THERE NETS THEY WONT LEAVE THEM THERE AGAIN AS THEY KNOW THERE BEEN WATCHED.

When i joined this site over 6 years back the same problums existed.....i said back then that the only way to get the C.F.B./I.F.I to act was to protest outside there head offices...............why dont few of us get together and orginise a protest outside the I.F.I head office in clonmel.....we av nothing to lose......and an lot to be gained............i b a man of the world and know first hand that,... Actions Speak louder...........
I also said that the C.F.B. shud be disbanded (and jailed ) most are farmers sons that havent a clue about fish or fishing............ask em. , how or why they were put in charge of fishery protection is a joke..............i know most of the officers in the S.R.F.B..............headless chickens/wasters/gyers..if anyone from C.F.B./I.F.I would like to comment on this?????????????? but they wont cos there wasters.
PROTESTS...................ONLY ANSWER.

Rant over,,,,,,,,,,,,for now

http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironm...n__6.12.08.pdf.

Its good that people are getting emotional over the topic..it shows they care!!!

Why don`t you (cortaz) contact the CEO of the local Office...make your report and ask them what is happening to tackle the problem...then come back and report to us?....sounds like a better plan than sitting on the fence and making very general comments....what do you think?

Still waiting for someone invovled to take up my suggestion...meanwhile the comments become more one sided!!!

WHEN YOU BANG YOUR HEAD OFF A BRICK AND END UP WITH ONLY A BUMP YOU START TO WONDER WHY YOU BOTHERED IN THE FIRST PLACE.IF SOMETHING IS AFFECTING ME AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN I USUALLY SORT IT MY SELF.AFTER YOU HAVE HIT THERE POCKETS A FEW TIMES THEY WILL PUSH OFF AND DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.AND EVENTUALLY THEY WILL STEP OUT OF THERE BOAT IN TO THE LONG ARMS OF THE LAW. BY PULLING IN THERE NETS THEY WONT LEAVE THEM THERE AGAIN AS THEY KNOW THERE BEEN WATCHED.

In otherwards ..no!

I would reckon that my experiences dealing with Fisheries Officers is different to others. In the main I find them to be committed chaps that are committed to their work. They are very under resourced, even in the good times they were short of bodies.

I think that bass protection has always been lacking when compared to the effort put into game fisheries.

The current economic climate is not helping matters. Guys who were earning far “easier” money building and suchlike are now turning back to illegal fishing. There are also licensed fishermen who are prepared to flout the regulations in order to make a quick buck by netting bass.

I have said it before and will say it again: To me the activities of these criminals are akin to economic treason. We have one species of sea fish that is protected – reserved for anglers. Bass angling has the ability to contribute to the economic recovery of the country- Irish anglers and foreign anglers visiting, angling and contributing to the local economy, it's a no-brainer!

As I said on a recent post:

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.

Do not think for one minute that nothing is being done. There are plenty committed anglers that are working constantly to help the Fishery Protection Officers (And working well too!). There are organisations such as the Cork Harbour Angling Hub that are working quietly to plans which will help the bass fishery going forward.

Of course there are times that the criminals get away with their crime. This example from Ballycotton is not an isolated one. There are criminals operating from Cork harbour as well (I am sure there are stories from all around the country). We have simple choices – Maybe get despondent and do nothing more, maybe even rant and rave a bit! Or we can be more determined to help. I will continue to watch the water, as will others. The calls will be made. We may not always be successful but we will not stop trying.

The work continues at many levels.

Its a disgrace, its always the people that have no interest in fishing as a hobbie that ruin it. The bass situation was going well and results of the laws that were imposed were effective. A steady increase could be seen. The only people making an effort are the guys that actually love fishing. The rest will take take take for money and even food. People putting small bass into the bag. I dont mind anybody taking a bass home once within the law. But taking small schoolies and netting bass now thats a disgrace. Once again the people that have the power to do something about it will sit on their arses and do nothing. I heard off netting going on in tralee last year also, which has showed poor fishing in that area this year. No wonder guys keep good marks to themselfs, they are like gold dust, and could be wiped out if the location was given to the wrong person.

Thats great to hear Jim that things are going on in the background to tackle the problem.My question regarding the whole thing is with regards to the cork region[east cork/harbour].If numbers of officers are as low as what we are been led to believe then how is the problem going to be rectified.
We and the authorities all know the main players both in the harbour and east cork and yet these "2" individuals are continuing to laugh at us as they are getting away scot free despite all the accurate info thats available been transferred to the authorities,but no real result been got.
Forget the bs of going after the small fry 100 to 200yd nets looking for drink money to go with their dole.Its the big 2 that need to be caught and the only way they will be stopped is if a very concentrated effort is made to catch them in the act which means when a call comes in with accurate info get the bloody ribs in the water asap[forget the red tape].This chasing a suspect boat from land for hours and hours is a joke and waste of time for everybody as the fish are 90% dropped off before the boat arrives home.This is as we know due to "lookouts" and any big 4 wheel drives will be easily spotted.
Would love to know what kind of a reaction these guys would recieve from fellow skippers if the authorities starting visiting the various piers etc where these boats hail from on a more concentrated basis.Bet you the other skippers would'nt be long telling these individuals to shag off!
If something differant has been put in place following recent meetings then theirs a chance of success,but if its all the same ideas,then it ain't going to work.I for one have only one idea and thats the one to catch the main netters and get a "proper" prosecution.One that will scare the other pretenders to the throne!Following last years debacle with one of these boats where it even had to be helped off rocks before it went off to unload its bass in cork harbour ,i will be very sceptical about the capabilities of the fishery people that any "proper" results can be achieved.
Lots of decent people are going to suffer evenmore than they already are with angling guide businesses,hotels pubs tackle shops even magazine publishings and other spin offs unless this huge problem is put to bed quickly once and for all.
Lastly id love to give my children an opportunity to experience the sound of a reel screaming off due to a decent bass or even any size bass taking somesort of lure or bait.Is it too much to wish for,i hope not!Oh Jim I still have a few tasty bass flies lying around if you want them along with a 10wt scierra blue series fly rod,just say the word.
Tight lines

BB,

The authorities are going to make a concentrated effort to target the persistent offenders. Two of the criminals have a prosecution pending very shortly. It will be interesting to see the reaction of the courts. That prosecution was a result of good solid information.

I would always reckon that the deterrent is as good as catching these guys in the act. I would like to see more visual patrolling/spot checking (much of the current patrolling goes on at night and is unseen/unknown). I feel that while this will happen it may not be at the level that will satisfy everybody – but we will fight/demand “our share” in the protection budget.

There are things that are being worked on, on different levels. As you know we are not only dealing with “the now” but we are looking to put things in place for next year as well. After all, this problem seems to appear at this time of year each year.

The flies would be a welcome addition! We’ll have to try them out in the New Year...I could do with the instruction

When i joined this site over 6 years back the same problums existed.....i said back then that the only way to get the C.F.B./I.F.I to act was to protest outside there head offices...............why dont few of us get together and orginise a protest outside the I.F.I head office in clonmel.....we av nothing to lose......and an lot to be gained............i b a man of the world and know first hand that,... Actions Speak louder...........
I also said that the C.F.B. shud be disbanded (and jailed ) most are farmers sons that havent a clue about fish or fishing............ask em. , how or why they were put in charge of fishery protection is a joke..............i know most of the officers in the S.R.F.B..............headless chickens/wasters/gyers..if anyone from C.F.B./I.F.I would like to comment on this?????????????? but they wont cos there wasters.
PROTESTS...................ONLY ANSWER

whatever chance we have and we have some, as work is been done (slowly) this is worth nothing and will get no where!

When i joined this site over 6 years back the same problums existed.....i said back then that the only way to get the C.F.B./I.F.I to act was to protest outside there head offices...............why dont few of us get together and orginise a protest outside the I.F.I head office in clonmel.....we av nothing to lose......and an lot to be gained............i b a man of the world and know first hand that,... Actions Speak louder...........
I also said that the C.F.B. shud be disbanded (and jailed ) most are farmers sons that havent a clue about fish or fishing............ask em. , how or why they were put in charge of fishery protection is a joke..............i know most of the officers in the S.R.F.B..............headless chickens/wasters/gyers..if anyone from C.F.B./I.F.I would like to comment on this?????????????? but they wont cos there wasters.
PROTESTS...................ONLY ANSWER.http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironm...n__6.12.08.pdf.

By far the most constructive post I have read here, NOT!!!!!!!! So for six years you have being complaining about nothing being done, and what have you done ???????? Moaned for six years !!!!! A man of the world ????? You mean a man of the keyboard !!! However you now have the chance to redeem yourself. Form or join a group and take part in constructive action. Make the reports, meet with the I.F.I., talk to fellow anglers and make a difference.

That sounds positive Jim.I really hope a proper punishment can be obtained for the 2 boyos in the spotlight at the moment,as its a perfect opportunity to show others how serious the law is against illegal commercial bass fishing.Fingers crossed it will go well and put a message out there.
Those flies are all yours Jim, i may even have a few extra ones these days that are stuck on me as its been so long since i had a proper effort at real fishing.All the best and fair play to all concerned on trying to preserve whats left of our bass fishery in cork.Keep up the good work.
Tight lines

That sounds positive Jim.I really hope a proper punishment can be obtained for the 2 boyos in the spotlight at the moment,as its a perfect opportunity to show others how serious the law is against illegal commercial Bass fishing.Fingers crossed it will go well and put a message out there.
Those flies are all yours Jim, i may even have a few extra ones these days that are stuck on me as its been so long since i had a proper effort at real fishing.All the best and fair play to all concerned on trying to preserve whats left of our Bass fishery in cork.Keep up the good work.
Tight lines

maybe something like this would curtail them a bit http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/galle ... fines-ever hope some judge has read this article.

When i joined this site over 6 years back the same problums existed.....i said back then that the only way to get the C.F.B./I.F.I to act was to protest outside there head offices...............why dont few of us get together and orginise a protest outside the I.F.I head office in clonmel.....we av nothing to lose......and an lot to be gained............i b a man of the world and know first hand that,... Actions Speak louder...........
I also said that the C.F.B. shud be disbanded (and jailed ) most are farmers sons that havent a clue about fish or fishing............ask em. , how or why they were put in charge of fishery protection is a joke..............i know most of the officers in the S.R.F.B..............headless chickens/wasters/gyers..if anyone from C.F.B./I.F.I would like to comment on this?????????????? but they wont cos there wasters.
PROTESTS...................ONLY ANSWER.http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironm...n__6.12.08.pdf.

By far the most constructive post I have read here, NOT!!!!!!!! So for six years you have being complaining about nothing being done, and what have you done ???????? Moaned for six years !!!!! A man of the world ????? You mean a man of the keyboard !!! However you now have the chance to redeem yourself. Form or join a group and take part in constructive action. Make the reports, meet with the I.F.I., talk to fellow anglers and make a difference.

Foundermember of Irish Bass, Where were you??? out fishin???lol

When i joined this site over 6 years back the same problums existed.....i said back then that the only way to get the C.F.B./I.F.I to act was to protest outside there head offices...............why dont few of us get together and orginise a protest outside the I.F.I head office in clonmel.....we av nothing to lose......and an lot to be gained............i b a man of the world and know first hand that,... Actions Speak louder...........
I also said that the C.F.B. shud be disbanded (and jailed ) most are farmers sons that havent a clue about fish or fishing............ask em. , how or why they were put in charge of fishery protection is a joke..............i know most of the officers in the S.R.F.B..............headless chickens/wasters/gyers..if anyone from C.F.B./I.F.I would like to comment on this?????????????? but they wont cos there wasters.
PROTESTS...................ONLY ANSWER.http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironm...n__6.12.08.pdf.

By far the most constructive post I have read here, NOT!!!!!!!! So for six years you have being complaining about nothing being done, and what have you done ???????? Moaned for six years !!!!! A man of the world ????? You mean a man of the keyboard !!! However you now have the chance to redeem yourself. Form or join a group and take part in constructive action. Make the reports, meet with the I.F.I., talk to fellow anglers and make a difference.

Kevin,
Foundermember of Irish Bass, Where were you??? out fishin???lol

done all of what u have stated ,helped formed protection group, met with fisherys ppl, spoke out in few mag articals, put myself out of pocket, spoke to lots of ppl...............
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE,?????? OUTSIDE OF KNOCKING THE PPL WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE CHANGES>>
DO you work for the CB./IFI. by any chance...............

Nice lively debate in here.

Seriously lads, please keep in mind that at the end of the day we're all actually on the same side here - we all want our Bass stocks to thrive and to be protected.

How that happens is a matter of fair comment, so please remember to keep your comments fair. The current realities may well be very frustrating for anglers, but do try not let your frustrations boil over in the wrong direction.

[/moderator]

I don't work for the I.F.I., but coming on to a public forum and referring to the people who do, as headless chickens, wasters etc. is hardly constructive. Fair play if you have being working at improving things, but if I worked in I.F.I. and read your comments I would not be too keen to listen to what you had to say. My answer would simply be, "what are you telling me for ? I am a headless chicken"

What is the point in trying to get the hotels behind you when, if they are anything like the ones here in Kerry, they will be the ones buying the poached bass, salmon and sea trout? Direct action is what is needed and i cannot see them standing up to 35/40 anglers if there were a good force to go out and do something rather than sit here proposing ways to stop the poachers. Are we men or chickens? Why should all you bass men, down that neck of the woods, not join forces and make sure that they are in no doubt what will happen if they do not quit their poaching. I know it is not the same as a river, but if this were happening on any river then i am quite sure that the anglers would not put up with it, you cannot depend on any of the fisheries officers to do anything, they would much prefer to sit in their offices with a nice warm cuppa and their feet up.

I know of one angling club, up north, which had a problem but it did not take long for the anglers, club bailiffs and the fisheries officers to join up and chase the poachers away, also a couple of well known broadcaster for the BBC were members of the club which helped no end. I would not hold my breath waiting for the courts to deal with them in any strict way, to them it is just a little thing, but if these two guys are to be up in court, then if some pressure can be put on the judge, from the press, so much the better, there have got to be some members of this site who have connections with the media and now is the time to use whatever leverage you might have to have this matter highlighted in the national media, not just the local papers.

So don't expect those who are benefiting from the poaching of bass to be on your side hotels buy most of the bass, and if the fisheries officers could get their asses off their seats and go check the hotels receipts for the bass they are selling. I have never seen any size of bass being sold in the shops here, just those little farmed things, so if any hotel is selling large portions of bass then they, in my opinion, have to be poached fish and a quick check of the records would prove this one way or the other, if they have no receipts then where did they get the fish?

Regards Wez

quote) kevin o connor>I am a headless chicken".
quote) jim h..>whatever chance we have and we have some, as work is been done (slowly) this is worth nothing and will get no where!

What do u suggest jim.? more letters, more asslickin? that has gotton us nowhere and wont.
Look what the salmon anglers,martin luther,ghandi,mandela , attcheved by protesting...........or maybe its the slagging em off that u think will get us nowhere?..............how many times did u whing on here this year about illigal bass netting in ur area? same craic will be going on next yr, and the year after,ect,ect.........immmmmmmm, more letters! more spying on ppl out in boats!!!
Time to take the gloves off jim, or they b nothing left fightin for...there was a big drop in bass catches all along the south coast this year prob b worse nxt year= less anglers= smaller voice= less chance of anything being done....

Jim C, quote)
The authorities are going to make a concentrated effort to target the persistent offenders. Two of the criminals have a prosecution pending very shortly. It will be interesting to see the reaction of the courts. That prosecution was a result of good solid information..

If the i.f.i dont get a conviction, them guys will sue for loss of earnings..if any nets were seized..This cud run to tens ot thousands of yoyos....even if they plead guilty they will say the bass were a by-catch and that they intended to eat em...fines b small, even with the I.F.I.s costs added only be around 1.000= 3 r 4 boxes of bass..

Kevin o Connor u kinda sidesteped answering me...!!!! SO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?? F.ALL I BET.

Not sure I want to say it on a publc forum but the boat has been named and she is actually from Kerry....and steams up for the bass....

The skipper has apparantly publically promised to "to wipe out the bass on the south coast"

Anyone making insinuations of people being paid off etc gets a permanent ban

Not sure I want to say it on a publc forum

'Fraid not
All we can allow is a court report. (Or what has been said in the Dail, this being privileged.)