Half deck trawler

Have just read on Rinnashark sac web site that half deckers are now trawling the river in Waterford for green crab is this going on any where else and can it be stopped soon be no food chain left for fish to feed on which means no fish for any one.
and trawling for crab must kill lots of small fish as a by product where are we going to a dead end i think.

I would encouragw all to send a e-mail or letter to the dept of marine and natural resources. Sounds very serious.

Kevin

I'd look into it some more first, Green crab is of such little value it wouldn't be worth their while or effort, trawling wouldn't be the common method used either they would normally pot for crab.

Nothing new They have been potting there for green crab for the last few years, Just like they have been in Wexford harbour and Youghal, Which IMHO is the main reason fishing in all these Estuaries has got and is getting worse.

Nothing new They have been potting there for green crab for the last few years, Just like they have been in Wexford harbour and Youghal, Which IMHO is the main reason fishing in all these Estuaries has got and is getting worse.

Couldn't agree more , especially on Youghal

worst season ever last winter - not a decent cod to be seen

when I think of some of the sessions we had only 2 or 3 years ago with over 30 decent sized cod in one night alone

distant memories now

Green crab potting is not regulated , they can take any size , male or female at any time of year .

If it continues for much longer, these estuaries will be devoid of crab life for the foreseeable future.

Seeing as the main reason fish are in these areas is CRAB... FISH in these areas will be a thing of the past!

And for what ??? €5 a box mostly used as mix for cattle feed or smashed up for pot bait!

We might have a hard time getting attention drawn to this issue as anglers... but the repercussions for estuary wildlife BIRDS etc

will also be drastic .





Dave.