Good news for once

Simon Coveney has turned down a request to re-open the commercial bass fishery in the Celtic Sea. Whatever about people taking too many and/or undersize bass from the shore, the trawlers would have cleaned out the stocks in no time at all.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ire ... 74351.html

Welcome for fish permit refusal

The Friends of the Irish Environment has welcomed a decision by Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney to turn down a request to permit commercial catching of sea bass in the Celtic Sea.

Sea bass have been protected since 1990, but only permanently since 2006.

There is a complete ban on commercial exploitation and anglers are only permitted to keep two fish of more than 40cm in length in any 24-hour period.

A number of sea angling associations have opposed a proposal by the Federation of Irish Fishermen to permit commercial catching of the species in the Celtic Sea area.

Good news indeed!!

Indeed.

You know, we should all write letters to the good minister thanking him for his decision and congratulating him on a job well done. Keep us to the forefront of the Dept's mind when the commercial boys next try their luck.

You know they will.

// Coveney's rejection of commercial sea bass fishing welcomed

Friends of the Irish Environment have welcomed Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Simon Coveney, TD, decision to refuse the 2009 the Federation of Irish Fishermen [FIF] request to allow the commercial fishing of sea bass in the Celtic Sea.

The Minister has confirmed to the organization that he is ‘not proposing changes at this time to the current arrangements in relation to bass fishing.'

The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has sought in 2009 to allow Irish commercial fishing vessels to target sea Bass and land it when caught in offshore waters. FIF's proposal was to change the Irish regulations to permit Irish commercial fishing vessels to retain and land sea Bass caught south of (51.30'N) in area VII.


The Minister informed FIE that ‘In the intervening period this proposal was not progressed and the Minister considers that the proposal has lapsed at this point.'

Irish sea bass is protected by the Irish bass protection legislation which was first introduced in 1990 but only became permanent in 2006. There is a complete ban on commercial fishing for bass and anglers are only allowed to keep 2 fish in any 24 hour period. They must be over 40 cm and cannot be sold.

The change was opposed by a wide range of sea angling associations.

FIE Director Tony Lowes said that as a rural based environmental organization they were acutely aware of the value to coastal communities of sea angling, valued at at least €8 million a year.

‘Sea angling draws sportsmen to Ireland from all over the world and brings much needed cash to remote communities that are especially hard hit by the current economic conditions.'

‘It is not only the sea bass who will benefit by the Minister's wise decision.'

Source: http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment ... iew&id=932

2009? Shows you how long they've been at it this particular time.

Indeed.

You know, we should all write letters to the good minister thanking him for his decision and congratulating him on a job well done. Keep us to the forefront of the Dept's mind when the commercial boys next try their luck.

You know they will.

"I'll second that" I think it's very important for us to contact the Minister and congratulate him on his decision.
simon.coveney@oir.ie

Okay!! I've done my bit I've email him and thanked him.

a great idea tanglerat.....done..

email sent

e mail sent

2 emails sent

GREAT NEWS!!!
Email sent............... just had to add the bit about the Mad Haddocks Ghost and Ghouls Angling Party

"Dear Minister,
Just a quick note of thank you for protecting Irish Sea Bass, As an angler myself your decision has meant a lot to me, and the future of sea angling. I hope to take my son out fishing for his first Shore caught sea bass, Though I’ve been so far unlucky myself this year, hopefully my luck will change

Wishing You all the best
Kevin


By the way if your interested, I’m doing a Halloween Costume Angling Event On Oct 31st (Halloween) 11am-2pm in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital you would be more then welcomed. You can find out further information through the Sea Angling Ireland Website viewtopic.php?f=12&t=36547 "

Well at last we have god news and for my 2 cent worth its great to see him being so positive about the Bass and by the way a E-MAIL sent

Mail sent

Good idea on contacting the minister. Mail sent

Fantastic news!!! Now that that worry is out of the way maybe us as anglers can do a little extra about the
poaching. Like reporting everything we see, on here and to the autorithies. I really think we need to get the
fishing bailiffs on here actively posting and communicating with us. Imagine the information they would get
and it would help them no end. Much better than talking to somone on the phone. Anyone know them to ask
them personally?

Tommy

Good Idea...

I know there is the number to report all incidences... but is there anywhere we can see a list of baliffs? Or departments dealing with these issues?

Email sent too

great post Tommy B

Good news indeed