I don't know how many of you were watching TV the other night and tuned in to 'Rip-Off Republic' but if you did, you'll probably have noticed that the presenter ended the show by exhorting the audience and viewing public to mail a disposable nappy to the Minister for Justice in a bid to have him bin the Groceries Order - an outdated piece of legislation that makes it illegal for the large supermarket chains not to rip us off.
The presenter's message was simple. Whatever faction creates the largest postbag wins. Letters=votes, to state the equation in its simplest form and votes=job to any politician.
You may have noted that this was supported by a piece on one woman who decided that she wanted Lidl to open a supermarket in her town, but Lidl had been refused planning permission. She got 5000 signatures and the planning committee had to fold under pressure and reverse their decision. Cutting long story short, price of groceries in town fell dramatically but more importantly, a concerned group got their way in the face of opposition from massive commercial interests.
What has this to do with angling?
The answer should be obvious.
1. Campaigning works.
2. There are many more 'little people' than 'big businesses'.
3. As few as 5000 signatures or letters can swing the result.
As an interesting aside to point 3 above, Leon passed me the following:-
I was amused when the Prime Ministers Strategy Unit announced that the consultation that led to Net Benefits had attracted an 'overwhelming response'. Just a few hundred! and anglers were in the majority. That changed everything! :D
So, can we get more anglers than commercial fishermen to put pressure on the government? From the latest data I could find recently, there were 4650 people employed directly in commercial fishing in Ireland. I'm currently tring to determine how many recreational sea anglers there are across the 32 counties. I suspect that this figure will far outweigh the number of commercial fishermen. I'll add to this thread as the figures become clearer, but take heart from the fact that very few fishermen write to their local politicians.
So, not to put to fine a point on it, can we all please try to make a difference to the future of sea angling by sending even one letter or e-mail?