Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:51 pm
Protect your sport and have your say.
There is currently a consultation process about biodiversity in County Wexford. The marine environment and the species that inhabit that environment are very much part of that biodiversity.
We as anglers now have a unique opportunity to show Wexford County Council that the bass we fish for are a vital part of the inshore marine biodiversity of the county. The lack of an unsustainable and environmentally destructive commercial fishery for bass and the benefit of anglers' sustainable and environmentally friendly exploitation of that bass stock are vital, both to the protection of biodiversity along the coastline and also the economic benefit of the coastal communities of Wexford.
Bass angling as a method of exploitation delivers the perfect mix of both fish and habitat protection with minimal interference with other marine creatures and habitat.
One of the great benefits of bass angling is that it brings people into direct contact with the marine environment in a much more interactive way than other users of the shore and coastline. It gives them a much greater understanding of the environment and the need to protect our marine biodiversity.
Therefore we need to urge Wexford County Council in respect of their commitment to protect and enhance biodiversity to do all in its power to maintain Ireland's bass protection legislation. The benefits both to the environment and the economy demand that our bass legislation be kept in place.
You can do your bit to help by drafting a simple email explaining that you either already visit Wexford or plan to do so in the future to enjoy a bass angling experience.
Simply outline to them that the bass stock along its coast is in your opinion an integral and vital part of its biodiversity and your actions do virtually nothing to damage that biodiversity while at the same time greatly benefiting the local coastal economies.
Sadly, time is very limited, the closing date for submission is Friday 28th January so we need to act now.
Simply email your views to:forwardplanning@wexfordcoco.ie before the closing date.
There is also a mail address but time is running out for post.
Biodiversity Plan
Forward Planning Section
Wexford County Council
County Hall
Wexford
It will only take a few minutes but could make a big difference.
Thank you
John Quinlan
Irish Bass