East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:14 am
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.
Clean fish such as Codling and Plaice were the mainstay of Greystones angling, but specialist anglers could target big Ray and Tope with a high chance of success. Washed by strong tidal currents and rich in feeding, vast Mussel beds, Whelk, Sand Eel and Launce, supported a real mixed fishery. Up to twenty five species were commonly available, depending on season, with always the chance of a rarity. The beauty of the boat angling was the shallow nature of the grounds, meaning relatively light tackle could be used, and that the fishing was accessible by trailer or beach launched dinghies. The variety of species available was an attraction common to both boat and shore anglers. An angler never really knew what type of fish might take the bait next.
Due to a combination of factors which include commercial over fishing, mussel dredging, and unregulated whelk fishing, the once rich fishing grounds between Bray Head and Wicklow Head now lie denuded and degraded. The following study, derived from the archives of the Specimen Fish Committee, charts the decline graphically. The drop in species biodiversity is highlighted, and the year within which serious questions should have been asked relative to the ongoing environmental damage is pin pointed.
The study covers a thirty two year period between 1975 and 2007, to include 1975 and 2007. The records of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee were used because they represent a true and accurate record of fish of a large average size caught by rod and line in and around Ireland. The information covering two years 1979 and 1981, was not available to the study at the time of writing, however these missing years do not skew the overall findings as will become apparent.
Decline of Inshore Fishery between Bray Head and Wicklow Head
1975 – 2007, Based on Archive Material Derived From the
Reports of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee
RECORDED SPECIMEN FISH CAUGHT, BY SPECIES BRAY HEAD TO WICKLOW HEAD, 1975 – 2007
Number of Specimens Caught Year of last Recorded Specimen
by Species, 1975 – 2007 Caught, by Species, 1975 – 2007
Bass: 10 2007
Black Sole: 5 1989
Brill: 1 1996
Bull Huss: 3 1989
Cod: 1 1985
Dab: 1 1986
Dogfish (LSD): 3 1982
Mullet: 4 2007
Plaice: 25 1987
Ray (Blonde): 16 1990
Ray (Homelyn): 8 1998
Ray (Thornback): 19 1997
Rockling: 2 1983
Smooth Hound: 12 1991
Spur Dogfish: 20 1993
Tope: 34 2005
Chronological Record of Last Recorded Official Specimen by Species
Bray Head to Wicklow Head, 1975 - 2007
Dogfish (Lesser Spotted) 1982
Rockling 1983
Cod 1985
Dab 1986
Plaice 1987
Black Sole 1989
Bull Huss 1989
Ray (Blonde) 1990
Smooth Hound 1991
Spur Dogfish 1993
Brill 1996
Ray (Thornback) 1997
Ray (Homelyn) 1998
Tope 2005
Bass 2007
Mullet 2007
Analysis:
1. In total 164 specimens were caught over the thirty two years in which information was available to the survey.
2. Range of Species: Bass, Black Sole, Brill, Bull Huss, Cod, Dab, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Mullet, Plaice, Blonde Ray, Homelyn Ray, Thornback Ray, Rockling, Smooth Hound, Spur Dogfish, Tope.
3. On average 5.3 specimens per year were caught across the range of species landed.
4. Between 1975 and 2007 specimen fish representing 16 separate species were landed by anglers from boat and shore between Bray Head and Wicklow Head.
5. Out of the sixteen species recorded one can be regarded as a rarity. That is the Brill landed in August 1996. The Grey Mullet although always available, have only been targeted by anglers in recent years. Hence their late inclusion from 1997.
6. Between the years 1975 – 1989, 130 (79.27%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed representing 14 separate species.
7. Inclusive of 1990 to 2007, 34 (20.70%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed, represented by 9 species.
8. Inclusive of 1995 – 2007, 18 (10.97%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed, represented by 6 species.
9. Inclusive of 2000 – 2007, 10 (06.09%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed, represented by 3 species.
Simple though the parameters of the study are the decline in biodiversity of the fishing grounds off Greystones over the time period is very clear. In total, between 1975 and 2007 it is known that 16 species of fish inhabited the area that grew to on or above the official rod and line caught specimen weight. In the fifteen years 1975 to 1989 fourteen separate species on or above specimen weight were recorded. Between 1990 and 2007 the species count of recorded specimens had dropped to 9. By the year 2000 this figure had dropped to 3 species, Bass, Tope, and a relative new comer, Grey Mullet.
With declining fish stocks and species availability anglers started targeting new species. Grey Mullet fell into this category. The first recorded specimen landed being a fish caught in September 1997. The next registered Mullet specimen was recorded in October 2004, with two more submitted in 2007. Now these fish were always there to be caught, the Broad Lough north of Wicklow town and the Breaches, south of Kilcoole being venues that always had a stock. It was just that anglers in the main never really targeted them. If one takes Mullet out of the equation only two species of the original common fourteen species regularly caught to specimen weight post 1975, namely Bass and Tope, are still viable specimen targets for north Wicklow sea anglers circa 2008. It should be noted that all of the above three mentioned species Bass, Tope and Mullet are presently not commercially targeted.
Many well respected marine scientists agree that 1989 is the tipping year when world fish stocks went into decline due to industrial commercial fishing post WWII. This study correlates with their findings. A marked decline in species availability occurs in the seas off north Co. Wicklow from 1990 onwards. It can be extrapolated also that fish size has reduced as well given the reduction in specimens landed. By 1995 the decline was well established, and has continued downwards ever since. First hand accounts from anglers who fished the grounds off Greystones historically, and still do today endorse this sorry picture.
There has not been a recorded specimen Plaice landed off Greystones since 1987. These fish were once a mainstay and specimens have been recorded caught from the Kilcoole Bank weighing up to 8.00 lbs. Cod and Codling were once the back bone of the fishery. The last big recorded Cod of 29 lbs was landed in 1985. Shore caught Codling of 2 – 4 lb weight were a common catch, even in mid summer, up to the early nineteen eighties, let alone in the winter months when they would be expected to feature. Large Thornback Ray were common up to the late eighties. Only two specimen Thornbacks have been recorded since 1989, the last one being submitted in 1997, with the last big Blonde Ray landed in 1990.
Over fishing elsewhere is certainly one of the factors responsible for this decline. Cod are heavily exploited in the Irish Sea as are Plaice. The former are now classified as endangered, while the FFS (Fisheries Science Services) say that Irish Sea Plaice stocks have full reproductive capacity and are being harvested sustainably. The experience off Greystones and Wicklow regarding Plaice however does not back this statement up. The Kilcoole Bank up to the late eighties was a serious Plaice Fishery, now it is a desert. Granted there is a strong likelihood that sustained mussel dredging in the area, along with over fishing, has played its part in the demise of the Plaice shoals locally.
Mussel dredging removes mussel reefs and by its nature damages the sea bed irrecoverably, thus affecting the ability of seed mussel to fix themselves to the sea floor. With mussels being the main food item of Plaice, if they become scarce then so one assumes will the Plaice. In fact given that juvenile whelks inhabit mussel reefs, the possibility of the local marine food chain being damaged by unregulated whelk fishing allied to mussel dredging has to be considered.
It is hoped that this simple analysis will not be looked upon as an exercise in nostalgia, but an attempt to highlight what has been lost and the speed of that loss. It is aimed in particular at those who may not be aware how abundant the inshore waters off north County Wicklow were up to very recently. The study I hope, will inform and galvanise all stake holders into not accepting mediocrity, for that is what the inshore waters off County Wicklow represent today. That it will act as a focus for motivation, enabling people to come together and demand that the marine environment is given a chance to recover. That concepts such as marine protection areas are given consideration, mussel dredging ceases off the Wicklow coastline, and that Whelk fishing is properly regulated. It is not too late in the day to reverse the damage done to the marine environment between Bray Head and Wicklow Head. With proper management allied to an enlightened approach, a once great fishery can be restored to benefit both recreational and commercial interests, if not for today’s generation then maybe at least for tomorrows.
Ashley Hayden ©
Clean fish such as Codling and Plaice were the mainstay of Greystones angling, but specialist anglers could target big Ray and Tope with a high chance of success. Washed by strong tidal currents and rich in feeding, vast Mussel beds, Whelk, Sand Eel and Launce, supported a real mixed fishery. Up to twenty five species were commonly available, depending on season, with always the chance of a rarity. The beauty of the boat angling was the shallow nature of the grounds, meaning relatively light tackle could be used, and that the fishing was accessible by trailer or beach launched dinghies. The variety of species available was an attraction common to both boat and shore anglers. An angler never really knew what type of fish might take the bait next.
Due to a combination of factors which include commercial over fishing, mussel dredging, and unregulated whelk fishing, the once rich fishing grounds between Bray Head and Wicklow Head now lie denuded and degraded. The following study, derived from the archives of the Specimen Fish Committee, charts the decline graphically. The drop in species biodiversity is highlighted, and the year within which serious questions should have been asked relative to the ongoing environmental damage is pin pointed.
The study covers a thirty two year period between 1975 and 2007, to include 1975 and 2007. The records of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee were used because they represent a true and accurate record of fish of a large average size caught by rod and line in and around Ireland. The information covering two years 1979 and 1981, was not available to the study at the time of writing, however these missing years do not skew the overall findings as will become apparent.
Decline of Inshore Fishery between Bray Head and Wicklow Head
1975 – 2007, Based on Archive Material Derived From the
Reports of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee
RECORDED SPECIMEN FISH CAUGHT, BY SPECIES BRAY HEAD TO WICKLOW HEAD, 1975 – 2007
Number of Specimens Caught Year of last Recorded Specimen
by Species, 1975 – 2007 Caught, by Species, 1975 – 2007
Bass: 10 2007
Black Sole: 5 1989
Brill: 1 1996
Bull Huss: 3 1989
Cod: 1 1985
Dab: 1 1986
Dogfish (LSD): 3 1982
Mullet: 4 2007
Plaice: 25 1987
Ray (Blonde): 16 1990
Ray (Homelyn): 8 1998
Ray (Thornback): 19 1997
Rockling: 2 1983
Smooth Hound: 12 1991
Spur Dogfish: 20 1993
Tope: 34 2005
Chronological Record of Last Recorded Official Specimen by Species
Bray Head to Wicklow Head, 1975 - 2007
Dogfish (Lesser Spotted) 1982
Rockling 1983
Cod 1985
Dab 1986
Plaice 1987
Black Sole 1989
Bull Huss 1989
Ray (Blonde) 1990
Smooth Hound 1991
Spur Dogfish 1993
Brill 1996
Ray (Thornback) 1997
Ray (Homelyn) 1998
Tope 2005
Bass 2007
Mullet 2007
Analysis:
1. In total 164 specimens were caught over the thirty two years in which information was available to the survey.
2. Range of Species: Bass, Black Sole, Brill, Bull Huss, Cod, Dab, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Mullet, Plaice, Blonde Ray, Homelyn Ray, Thornback Ray, Rockling, Smooth Hound, Spur Dogfish, Tope.
3. On average 5.3 specimens per year were caught across the range of species landed.
4. Between 1975 and 2007 specimen fish representing 16 separate species were landed by anglers from boat and shore between Bray Head and Wicklow Head.
5. Out of the sixteen species recorded one can be regarded as a rarity. That is the Brill landed in August 1996. The Grey Mullet although always available, have only been targeted by anglers in recent years. Hence their late inclusion from 1997.
6. Between the years 1975 – 1989, 130 (79.27%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed representing 14 separate species.
7. Inclusive of 1990 to 2007, 34 (20.70%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed, represented by 9 species.
8. Inclusive of 1995 – 2007, 18 (10.97%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed, represented by 6 species.
9. Inclusive of 2000 – 2007, 10 (06.09%) of the total amount of specimens caught were landed, represented by 3 species.
Simple though the parameters of the study are the decline in biodiversity of the fishing grounds off Greystones over the time period is very clear. In total, between 1975 and 2007 it is known that 16 species of fish inhabited the area that grew to on or above the official rod and line caught specimen weight. In the fifteen years 1975 to 1989 fourteen separate species on or above specimen weight were recorded. Between 1990 and 2007 the species count of recorded specimens had dropped to 9. By the year 2000 this figure had dropped to 3 species, Bass, Tope, and a relative new comer, Grey Mullet.
With declining fish stocks and species availability anglers started targeting new species. Grey Mullet fell into this category. The first recorded specimen landed being a fish caught in September 1997. The next registered Mullet specimen was recorded in October 2004, with two more submitted in 2007. Now these fish were always there to be caught, the Broad Lough north of Wicklow town and the Breaches, south of Kilcoole being venues that always had a stock. It was just that anglers in the main never really targeted them. If one takes Mullet out of the equation only two species of the original common fourteen species regularly caught to specimen weight post 1975, namely Bass and Tope, are still viable specimen targets for north Wicklow sea anglers circa 2008. It should be noted that all of the above three mentioned species Bass, Tope and Mullet are presently not commercially targeted.
Many well respected marine scientists agree that 1989 is the tipping year when world fish stocks went into decline due to industrial commercial fishing post WWII. This study correlates with their findings. A marked decline in species availability occurs in the seas off north Co. Wicklow from 1990 onwards. It can be extrapolated also that fish size has reduced as well given the reduction in specimens landed. By 1995 the decline was well established, and has continued downwards ever since. First hand accounts from anglers who fished the grounds off Greystones historically, and still do today endorse this sorry picture.
There has not been a recorded specimen Plaice landed off Greystones since 1987. These fish were once a mainstay and specimens have been recorded caught from the Kilcoole Bank weighing up to 8.00 lbs. Cod and Codling were once the back bone of the fishery. The last big recorded Cod of 29 lbs was landed in 1985. Shore caught Codling of 2 – 4 lb weight were a common catch, even in mid summer, up to the early nineteen eighties, let alone in the winter months when they would be expected to feature. Large Thornback Ray were common up to the late eighties. Only two specimen Thornbacks have been recorded since 1989, the last one being submitted in 1997, with the last big Blonde Ray landed in 1990.
Over fishing elsewhere is certainly one of the factors responsible for this decline. Cod are heavily exploited in the Irish Sea as are Plaice. The former are now classified as endangered, while the FFS (Fisheries Science Services) say that Irish Sea Plaice stocks have full reproductive capacity and are being harvested sustainably. The experience off Greystones and Wicklow regarding Plaice however does not back this statement up. The Kilcoole Bank up to the late eighties was a serious Plaice Fishery, now it is a desert. Granted there is a strong likelihood that sustained mussel dredging in the area, along with over fishing, has played its part in the demise of the Plaice shoals locally.
Mussel dredging removes mussel reefs and by its nature damages the sea bed irrecoverably, thus affecting the ability of seed mussel to fix themselves to the sea floor. With mussels being the main food item of Plaice, if they become scarce then so one assumes will the Plaice. In fact given that juvenile whelks inhabit mussel reefs, the possibility of the local marine food chain being damaged by unregulated whelk fishing allied to mussel dredging has to be considered.
It is hoped that this simple analysis will not be looked upon as an exercise in nostalgia, but an attempt to highlight what has been lost and the speed of that loss. It is aimed in particular at those who may not be aware how abundant the inshore waters off north County Wicklow were up to very recently. The study I hope, will inform and galvanise all stake holders into not accepting mediocrity, for that is what the inshore waters off County Wicklow represent today. That it will act as a focus for motivation, enabling people to come together and demand that the marine environment is given a chance to recover. That concepts such as marine protection areas are given consideration, mussel dredging ceases off the Wicklow coastline, and that Whelk fishing is properly regulated. It is not too late in the day to reverse the damage done to the marine environment between Bray Head and Wicklow Head. With proper management allied to an enlightened approach, a once great fishery can be restored to benefit both recreational and commercial interests, if not for today’s generation then maybe at least for tomorrows.
Ashley Hayden ©
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:42 am
good read
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:53 am
Ashley,
I am a wicklow lad and can remember fishing these areas when plaice / cod were common (early eighties),but from listening to my father it sems the stocks were already in decline but the mussel and whelk fishing seems to have been the final nail in the coffin.
Adam
I am a wicklow lad and can remember fishing these areas when plaice / cod were common (early eighties),but from listening to my father it sems the stocks were already in decline but the mussel and whelk fishing seems to have been the final nail in the coffin.
Adam
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:57 am
One of the most devastatingly effective, clever and articulate posts I have read from these forums – congratulations. Where to next……….?
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:08 pm
im with jimh here - this is a good post which highlights the realities around our coast
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:26 pm
Het Ashley, I think i read that on your website before???
Very good read ashley, fair play on the research
Very good read ashley, fair play on the research
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:46 pm
Absolutely brilliant report.
Unfortunately I cannot see how? The light at the end of the tunnel too many times has turned into a train coming towards us.
Yappo
It is not too late in the day to reverse the damage done to the marine environment between Bray Head and Wicklow Head.
Unfortunately I cannot see how? The light at the end of the tunnel too many times has turned into a train coming towards us.
Yappo
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:35 pm
A good read with lots of valid issues... as i'm sure we would all agree strongly.... unfortunately this is the same all over our coast line and nothing seems to hit home with the authorities on this matter they really don't care and the commercial fisherman fleet seem to have some hold over them... there is a very simple solution to this problem and that is a 5 mile exclusion zone around the coast of Ireland as a whole after all the sea is a big place and this would only be a very small area of conservation... but sadly this is only a dream as it will never happen. We as leisure anglers know how bad things are on fish stocks from our trips... I don't doubt for a minute that the powers that be with all the money they have spent over the years on research know the same thing but do they give a dam... NO and that is the sad truth of the matter. So I think the only thing to do is make the most of whats left for it won't be long till its all gone and leisure angling will be a thing of memories.
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:44 am
good read ashley,
Ive been doing alot of reading on something similar ashley its more on the bass end of things.
my dad was a member of the perrystown SAC which done most of their fishing around the ridge, breaches shoal and the codling bank to name but a few but all in that area. i can remember seeing photos of huge thornbacks huge spurs and massive amouts of big cod, coalfish, pollack and especially plaice that was caught on the breaches. I personally think that these days will never return as much as i would really love it not only for me but for our kids. ask any old timer east coast angler and he will tell you the same.
going back to the bass end of things i have the specimen reports on file from 1986 to 1990 and the amount of bass caught around dublin is unreal to say the least. there was even two specimen caught on the same night a mile apart.Are these days gone.... i dont know, we would all love to see them return.
i suppose us east coasters can only live in hope that some day they just might get back to some normality, who knows what this year will bring us.
regards
brian
Ive been doing alot of reading on something similar ashley its more on the bass end of things.
my dad was a member of the perrystown SAC which done most of their fishing around the ridge, breaches shoal and the codling bank to name but a few but all in that area. i can remember seeing photos of huge thornbacks huge spurs and massive amouts of big cod, coalfish, pollack and especially plaice that was caught on the breaches. I personally think that these days will never return as much as i would really love it not only for me but for our kids. ask any old timer east coast angler and he will tell you the same.
going back to the bass end of things i have the specimen reports on file from 1986 to 1990 and the amount of bass caught around dublin is unreal to say the least. there was even two specimen caught on the same night a mile apart.Are these days gone.... i dont know, we would all love to see them return.
i suppose us east coasters can only live in hope that some day they just might get back to some normality, who knows what this year will bring us.
regards
brian
Re: East Coast Boat Angling, Past, Present, and Future?
Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:13 am
Thank you everybody for the positive comments. I conducted the study because I felt that hard evidence from a legimate source was needed to back up the actual experience.
I am an optimist, and believe that a campaign designed to inform the wider public would create a positive momentum. After all what we are getting rid of here is our heritage.
For me the study, as was pointed out above, is a reflection of what is happening all around our coast. The sea belongs to all citizens, not just those who work in or on it. At Government level this fact has not sunk in yet, but it will one day.
Thanks again...
I am an optimist, and believe that a campaign designed to inform the wider public would create a positive momentum. After all what we are getting rid of here is our heritage.
For me the study, as was pointed out above, is a reflection of what is happening all around our coast. The sea belongs to all citizens, not just those who work in or on it. At Government level this fact has not sunk in yet, but it will one day.
Thanks again...