A note from SEAi - illegal netting

From Jimh of http://www.bassfishing.ie

Every angler in the county of Wexford and im sure some from even further afield must be aware of the illegal netting situation in Wexford at this time.

This situation is no different than it was last year or any of the years since the closed season began

As i have mentioned on my blog before the number of calls I receive from anglers in relation to this is increasing all the time.

Today I had two calls, yesterday wasnt too bad i had just one.

I receive these calls all the time , and the more i get the more it affects me. It is always the same sense of frustration, the annoyance, and of course the realisation of the continued destruction that i hear.

Coupled to this is the inevitable question ..'What is been done about it? Where are the fisheries officers? Is anything been done? What about the Guards -etc etc

I want to say this to all sea anglers and to those whom have made calls to me

I share in your annoyance and frustration
I dont have any answers
I dont know what is been done
I dont know how or why its allowed to continue

But i do know this

On my own i am a voice in the wilderness and so is each telephone call
Sea anglers are aware of what the 'stop now' campaign achieved
If sea anglers want to voice their concerns thats fine - and thats all I can be - a listening post. This year and next year and the year after.
The days when people needed to net illegally to make a living and survive are long gone!

But to DO something and to ACHIEVE something then they must realise there is power in numbers and united action - they must realise that the bass fishery in all its aspects is something worth conserving. Its a fishery whose profile needs to be raised and promoted and protected.

Else dont phone me anymore!

Thanks

http://sfdiaries.blogspot.com/2008/04/y ... calls.html

tell me who and where i have 2 send a letter, and every1 else can send there letters 2. unite together before its 2 late

If you want to write a letter, write to relevant Ministers, your local TDs and local councillors.

If you want to report specific incidences of netting, call the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) on 023 59300

http://www.sfpa.ie/EN/Contact+Us/

If you don't want to call the SFPA directly, drop an email to report@irishbass.org and they will pass on the information. This also helps to keep track of any netting that's taking place.

Remember, specific, "live" information is needed and it does make a difference.

I think these are relevant ministers, following the reshuffle:

Brendan Smith, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry)

Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism