[Media] Call for coastal zone to be extended

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ire ... 93900.html

The State’s exclusive coastal zone should be extended from 12 miles to 25 miles to give greater protection to marine life, according to a policy paper published by the Institute of International and European Affairs, writes Lorna Siggins.

Great idea as long as they don't want to restrict recreational sea angling. According to an article in Total Sea Fishing in Feb 2009 recreational sea angling is worth £538,000,000 in GB as oppossed to the £161,000,000 (England and Wales figure only) from commercial fishing (of which £91,000,000 is shellfish) so it would be nice to see the quality and quantity of fish that we anglers are catching increase.

It's time governments realised how important recreational sea angling is. The Scottish government have realised that angling, both in terms of bait, tackle sales etc and tourism is worth as much to them as golf and will be looking at how they can improve this in the near future.

We all put so much in and yet seem to receive little consideration from government as the commercial lobby have such influence.

We could have anglers come to Ireland, north and south, from all over the world to fish and enjoy the craic if only our fish stocks received the support they need and deserve.

Great idea as long as they don't want to restrict recreational sea angling. According to an article in Total Sea Fishing in Feb 2009 recreational sea angling is worth £538,000,000 in GB as oppossed to the £161,000,000 (England and Wales figure only) from commercial fishing (of which £91,000,000 is shellfish) so it would be nice to see the quality and quantity of fish that we anglers are catching increase.

It's time governments realised how important recreational sea angling is. The Scottish government have realised that angling, both in terms of bait, tackle sales etc and tourism is worth as much to them as golf and will be looking at how they can improve this in the near future.

We all put so much in and yet seem to receive little consideration from government as the commercial lobby have such influence.

We could have anglers come to Ireland, north and south, from all over the world to fish and enjoy the craic if only our fish stocks received the support they need and deserve.

Excelent post mate agree 100% and believe it would drasticaly improve fish stocks but dont belive any one in government will push for this to go through.

The only way that would happen here, is for all us anglers in ireland top and bottom to join forces and make it happen.