Bass being commercially exploited again!?

Thanks for the replies Jim/Tomaszec

This is not over by a long way so lets keep getting stuck into it.

[quote="Colm"]Thanks for the replies Jim/Tomaszec

This is not over by a long way so lets keep getting stuck into it.[/quo maybe theres another reason that we dont know about why the td is backing the commercials?

maybe theres another reason that we dont know about why the td is backing the commercials?

Right so, then why not ask him the question? Why beating around the bush?

I have sent this for all the good it may do.

"Dear Mr Connick,

I began angling for sea bass in 1999. In 2005 I caught one. Since then I have caught more (but killed few). The stock appears to be slowly recovering (according to data –scientific as opposed to anecdotal) thanks to the enlightened ban on the commercial fishing and more importantly the sale of these fish within the State .

It appears that in the past you have been a lobbyist for the re-opening of the Bass fishery on behalf of the Commercial netsmen. As a public representative this was your prerogative. However as the newly appointed State guardian of this fishery I am sure that you realise that you must now disregard partisan links and look at the entire issue from the perspective of the benefit to the State. This is a balancing exercise which will have an enormous long term negative effect if short term thinking is applied. To properly execute this balance I suggest you must consider the following factors in addition to the views that you have previously been the spokesman for.

It is the position of the IFI that the reopening of an area offshore to netting will have a negligible effect on inshore stocks. This is not scientifically established . However even if this is the case it does not take into account that the real protection to the inshore Bass stocks is the prohibition against sale of these fish in the State. Even with that ban in place the fishery boards have had an exceptionally difficult job in dealing with illegal netting and sale of bass. If the ban on sale is removed the boards will be unable to police this problem at all as an offshore bass looks exactly the same as an inshore bass. You will effectively be giving free rein to illegal netsmen.

Netsmen have no specific right or entitlement to this resource either legislatively or traditionally. Commercial bass fishing in this jurisdiction is something which arose only in the mid-late twentieth century and stopped only when the stock was effectively destroyed by unrestrained netting. It has hardly recovered and the netsmen have continued to demand access to it as though of right.

There is a substantial contribution to the State by the Bass angling sector domestic and foreign. Advice and data on numbers of Irish and foreign anglers and the amounts that they spend in the State are available to you. Consider the knock –on effect that the diminution of Bass stocks will have on the secondary industries that exist around this sector. Please also realise that the Bass is an exceptionally slow growing fish; a 10lbs fish is about 25 years old. If the stock is severely damaged its recovery will take decades.

Finally, Mr Connick, I ask you to note that angling is (apart from darts) the most popular participation sport in the country. A hundred thousand is not an unreasonable estimate of numbers. Of course not all are bass anglers but all are potential voters and each branch of the sport is aware of threats to the others. In the same way a branch generally has both an empathy for the plight of the other branches and a fear that their species will be next in the firing line to feed the demands of netsmen. Anglers have an extraordinary passion for their interest and in general do not hesitate in bringing their passion to the ballot box. The interest tends to cross class and party lines almost like no other. Your Mr Brendan Daly and Patrick Gallagher in the past ignored the angling lobby to their ultimate detriment. I urge you not to follow suit.



Yours sincerely"

Hi Mercurial

Thats an excellent letter.

Well done.


A

here's a link you might be interested in from the north guys http://www.marineconservationnorthernireland.com/index.php?news&nid=5

Had a reply from Sean Connick's office today to a letter sent.

"I am currently making enquiries on the matter and I will contact you again when further information is available"

Not much to it but keep pushing lads..

I came across this article on the Internet the other day. It makes very interesting reading. Enjoy the read and use the information if you wish. Contact details for Sean Connick are also at the bottom. I'd love if Sean Connick read it!!

There is no doubt that tourism is a major contributor to the Irish economy. With overseas tourist visits for 2008 estimated at 8.2million people, foreign exchange earnings for the same period were at €4.9 billion, and the tourism and hospitality sector is currently supporting 12% of jobs in Ireland.

An International market research report has revealed that Ireland is a key competitor in the market for British, French and German anglers. The report, commissioned by the Marine Institute, will be launched by Mr. Fahey T.D., Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, at an Overseas Angling Tourism Seminar in Galway. (2002)
£24 million has been secured for the development of the Tourism Angling over the next 5 years under the National Development Plan", said the Minister. "This report will help underpin a focused approach to marketing and promotion to ensure that this money is invested effectively, by matching Ireland's angling product to the needs and desires of the target markets", he concluded.
Key attributes identified by foreign anglers that could give Ireland the competitive edge are the unspoilt nature of the environment, the availability and quality of wild fish stock, the possibility for seclusion and the famous Irish welcome.
Source: the Marine Institute

The future success of the tourism industry, however, is inextricably linked to the quality of our environment. Our scenic landscapes, coastline, rivers and lakes, and cultural heritage are the bedrock upon which Irish tourism has been built. The economic viability and competitiveness of the Irish tourism industry can only be sustained if the quality of this raw material is maintained. Ireland’s tourism industry now, more than ever, relies on strong environmental and sustainable policies.

Some of the major opportunities that lie ahead for the marine sector in Ireland include:

Exploiting growing international markets for seafood products, especially health foods;
Exploiting new niche global markets in marine environmental technologies; Developing new tourism offerings in angling, boating and water sports that provide exciting experiences in a quality marine environment;
Source: the Marine Institute

The angling tourism sector is now particularly vulnerable and is at risk of loosing a huge part of that marine opportunity and the current benefit to the economy and existing jobs. The latest FIF proposal to re-open commercial bass fishing in this country is without doubt the greatest single challenge that angling tourism has faced for many years.

The challenge it faces is one that presents itself in a façade of pseudo responsibility and job creation whilst hiding behind a veil of expected and anticipated sympathy. Why should we have sympathy for an industry that marches from the destruction of one species to the next and holds its hands out for subsidies with the shocked look of ‘..where did all the fish go whenever the latest resource is decimated?

Sean Connick TD has now become Minister for Fisheries. This may be a junior ministry but he does have some serious responsibilities. Many people depend on our marine fish resources for their livelihoods and the opinions he has and the decisions he will make will have a profound effect on many coastal communities.

Deputy Connick has spoken about some issues recently –extracts from http://www.seanconnick.ie/

Local Fianna Fail TD Sean Connick spoke about the fishing industry in Wexford at a number of recent meetings of the Oireachtas Committee on European Scrutiny. Deputy Connick, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Committee on European Scrutiny, used the opportunity of these meetings, which were addressed by the Federation of Irish Fishermen and the Minister for Fisheries, Tony Killeen TD, to raise issues which are of concern to local fishermen.

Among the issues raised by Deputy Connick at these meetings were:

Consultation with fishermen over stock “Are fishermen ever consulted on the question of fish stocks? Many fishermen complain to me about scientists’ estimates of stocks. While scientists say cod stocks are depleted, fishermen will say they are leaping out of the sea. Similarly, fishermen complain that they have not been allowed to fish bass for ten years although they are obviously plentiful. Are fishermen consulted on the question of what species can or cannot be fished?”

Deputy Connick also mentioned the need to re-open fishing in sea bass, eels and cockles; the difficulties criminal sanctions against fishermen pose when administrative sanctions should be used as an alternative; and the difficult relationship local fishermen have with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.

Deputy Connick informed the Oireachtas Committee that the fishing industry in certain ports in Co. Wexford had been decimated in recent years “There are a number of fishing ports in Wexford in which I am acutely aware of the decimation of the industry. Decimation is the only word we can use in discussing what has happened to the fishing industry here in recent years. The same is true of what has happened upriver, forms of fishing on rivers, including eel, salmon and cockle fishing, are now either banned, about to be banned or cannot be engaged in.”

There is much to be learned from the above.

It is absolutely vital that anglers now take this opportunity to write to or visit Deputy Sean Connick immediately to express their feelings about
How much they spend on their Bass fishing and how much it benefits people in remote costal communities.
How much it means of the sheer enjoyment of been able to go and catch some fish and the possibilities of angling in one of Europes greatest saltwater resources
The importance of maintaining sea Bass as a recreational resource is the only way to manage the species. Commercial fisherman have already demonstrated they cannot sustainably manage the species. Why else did the government close the commercial fishing in 1987?

Between 1985 and 1995 Bass numbers in Irish waters reached their lowest levels. estimates, based on anglers’ catches, suggest populations were 1.4% of their levels prior to 1967. In 1987 a ban on commercial fishing was introduced but five years later, Irish-caught Bass were still on sale in shops and restaurants. The ban on sale and on (commercial) fishing appears to have arrested the decline and, in the following decade, Bass numbers increased threefold. Illegal fishing has not however been eliminated.
Source Ed Fahy 5th March 2010
Bass angling is an €8 million Sustainable Annual and growing Industry. It employs hundreds of people all over the country and can continue to grow and develop and be sustainable and those jobs and the fishery must be protected.
At which point in time are anglers going to realise they are important, much more important than they can realise - this is the time for that realisation.

Write to: Minister Sean Connick, Priory Lane, The Quay, New Ross, Co. Wexford
Email: sean.connick@oireachtas.ie Mobile: 087 2564576

Good man mercurial.

That's a good letter.

I urge everyone else to follow suit.

I know at this stage you are all probably a little bit sick and tired of writing, posting and e-mailing. However I must stress that due to the change of cabinet positions within this Government it is like our lobbying and campaigning is starting from scratch. That's the way we must look at it and that's actually the reality of it.

So please inject as much passion, effort and gusto into your lobbying efforts towards Minister Connick as you previously did towards Minister Killeen.

It's also important to be mindful of the fact that the Minister for Tourism has also changed and informing the new Minister of our concerns and plans for the current stocks of bass is imperative!

Tight lines folks,
John D.

Another letter from Holland is on it's way.

Greetings,

Paul

Nice one high low!

John D.

Hi lads,
just to let ye all know that after writing a long letter to minister Connick about my feelings and the facts regarding reopening the offshore fishery,I received a reply this morning.Basically it came from his private secetary a Seamus Moynihan,who said that he would pass it on to mr Connick when the opportunity arises in the near future ,in other words its gone in the bin more than likely with alot more letters,so lads the main man did 'nt get my letter so how long before or if he will read them maybe after he puts pen to paper on new legislation,at least mr Killeen replied stating the current state of affairs,its time to up the anti again.
Tight lines

long time fisherman,first time poster. i really hope this piece of legislation does not get pushed through for the sake of a small communities gain to the detriment of a sustainable industry. i will be writing a letter..

Good man istabraq maybe you would consider a letter to Mary Hanifin aswell.

why would that be beachcomber?I do have issues with her and many more of them to be honest....enlighten me!

As the Minister for Tourism,Arts and Sport I believe she should have a vested interest in developing all forms of sustainable tourism, I fact I heard her make a reference to that not too long ago. I have written to both herself and Mr Cullen(along with Ministers Killeen,Linehan and Connick) on this matter and emphasised not only the value of bass angling tourism in its current form but more importantly the huge potential for development. Every letter counts, Hope this explains.

I totally agree with you Marlinman.

You have our full support istabraq2009.

Beachcomber has made an extremely important point there. The fact that we (the public)
are the ones encouraging cross departmental thinking and ideas is unfortunate and disappointing. However, do it we must. Highlighting the importance of a healthy bass stock to the Minister for Tourism and encouraging her to communicate with Minister Connick on the matter is something we should strive towards.

May the force be with us!

Tight lines,
John D.

Don't kid yourself, a Minister never reads individual letters. But somebody does, and that somebody will eventually write up a submission to the Minister with the pro's and cons. In that scenario facts and science are king. So show a proven loss of jobs & income to the state vs narrow self interest of a couple of individuals and its very hard for the Minister not to make the right decision. Bombard his constituency office with demands that he make the right decision. In these scenarios a local campaign in the constituency has far more power than a dispersed national one. Attend his clinics & express your concerns.

From his website-I'll check the Wexford People tomorrow for to see if he has additional clinics planned.
Sean Connick's clinics

Constituency Office: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday

Saturday and after hours by appointment

CLINICS

Clonroche Vilage Hall first Saturday of the month 10.30 am - 11.00 am

Duncannon Fort Conan Hotel first Saturday of the Month 12.00 pm

Duncormick Sammy Sinnotts Pub First Monday of the Month 7.30 pm - 8.00 pm

Wellingtonbridge Tir Na Nog Bar First Monday of the Month 6.30pm - 7.00 pm

Gorey Amber Springs Hotel First Thursday of the Month 7.00 pm - 7.30 pm

THE ABOVE CLINICS ARE NOT HELD IN JANUARY OR AUGUST

Fair play to everyone on here oppossed to the commercial exploitation of our bass stocks.

I have sympathy for commercial fishermen in respect of the fact that much of their traditional business has been decimated by EU policies, etc.

That said it wouldn't be in their interest to commercially target bass in the long term, and they know too well nowadays that sustainable commercial fishing is the only answer to maintaining their own livliehood.

It's also a fact that tourism is a much more important part of the Irish economy than commercial fishing and failte Ireland's strategy is focusing more and more on exploiting our country's natural and sustainable resources, angling has been identified in their research as an under exploited resource for our tourism product. So I'm confident that the voice of bass anglers and the tourism sector that services it will be listened to above the commercial fishing industry. That said that voice needs to be heard and the more people who contact relevant td's minsiters the better.