Neglect of Wicklow's inshore fish stocks

Ashley Hayden's study of the decline in Wicklow's inshore fish stocks might be of interest to Wicklow anglers, particularly younger anglers who haven't expereinced the quantity and quality of fish that used to be available 20 years ago.

The area of coastline between Bray Head and Wicklow Head was once the jewel in the crown of east coast angling. From both boat and shore a wide range of species were available and the average size was high. Greystones, Co. Wicklow served as the launching pad for a flotilla of dinghies bound for the rich fishing grounds of the Moulditch Bank (also called “The Ridge”), the Kilcoole Bank, and the Breaches Shoal. While south of Greystones running unbroken for eleven miles lay the bank of shingle which gave access to some of the best and varied shore angling in Ireland. Alas no more, venues such as Ballygannon, Kilcoole, Five Mile Point, and Killoughter are shadows of what they were 15 years ago.

The full article makes shocking reading.

http://www.ashley-hayden.com/observations.htm

Full Article ...

Depressing, sad: yes. There is also the impact of pollution, warming, and anglers too, but the reality is the cause of this decline is overfishing to meet either actual or artificial demand.

We know the cause. I can never see this coming back.

As small boy I remember how trawlermen once trawled inside Dun Laoghaire harbour in full sight of anglers, just because they could. Hopefully, the rising fuel prices will now take care of as many of those kind of people as possible and the more responsible ones will can find some employment in other sea-related activities - angling, whale-watching, servicing fish or wind farms, etc.