Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Thu May 17, 2012 1:32 pm

Monday, May 14, 2012
Dail Eireann Debate May 10th 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012

Dáil Éireann Debate

Vol. 764 No. 5

Unrevised


6. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine Information on Simon Coveney if he will undertake new research to determine the stock levels of sea bass in Irish waters with a view to looking at the feasibility of allowing small boats to fish for sea bass for even a defined period of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/12]

Deputy Simon Coveney: This is a particulary sensitive issue. Irish vessels are currently precluded from landing sea bass under the Bass (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2006, S.I. No. 230 of 2006, and the Bass (Restriction on Sale) Regulations 2007, S.I. No. 367 of 2007. The complete ban for the commercial fishing of sea bass applies to Irish fishing vessels in all areas. These regulations were introduced as a co-ordinated set of measures with the sea bass fishing conservation by-laws. The by-laws imposes a bag limit on anglers of two bass in any one period of 24 hours and a ban on angling for bass during the spawning season, from 15 May to 15 June in any given year.

These measures have been in place since 1990 and were introduced arising from the dramatic decline of sea bass stocks in the 1970s. Bass in Irish waters are a slow growing fish and, at a recruitment age of roughly five years, are late maturing fish. The distribution of bass around Europe is found mainly in southern waters, including the inshore waters of the south west of England and the English Channel. It is farmed extensively in Mediterranean waters.

The Marine Institute carried out an annual bass survey between the years 1996 and 2007. This survey validates previous research on the species and indicates that the stock of bass in Ireland’s inshore waters remains greatly depleted since the 1960s and 1970s. In Irish waters, the available scientific advice is that the sea bass stock appears depleted and should be allowed to rebuild. The evidence suggests that sea bass in Irish waters do not exhibit the same strong recruitments as recorded closer to continental Europe and the species abundance remains depressed.

Studies conducted in the 1970s in Ireland when commercial netting was permitted by smaller boats found that the majority of net caught fish were immature. The shoaling nature of these immature fish close to shore coupled with the dependence on a good year class means that the sustainability of the stock can be disproportionately depleted by inshore netting when compared to other commercial species.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Studies submitted to my Department argue that the value to the economy of a bass caught by an angler and which is returned alive is many multiples of its value to the commercial sector and I am aware of a number of businesses, such as fishing guides, hotels and guest accommodation in the south, which are reliant on this bass tourism. I understand that Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, is currently undertaking a socioeconomic survey of recreational angling in Ireland. The overall objective of the survey is to establish the current volume and value of domestic and overseas recreational angling in Ireland. It will run over the course of 2012.

From a scientific perspective, our knowledge on the biology and stock dynamics of sea bass in Irish waters is poor. There is a need for new research in this area. Following recent discussions, the Marine Institute and Inland Fisheries Ireland are considering developing a research programme to deepen our understanding of sea bass. This will inform future discussion on policy and management of the resource.

Deputy Mick Wallace: It is clearly very important to protect the angling sector of the industry. There are huge benefits for the economy from angling. However, I get the impression that much of the research that has been carried out appears to have been carried out by the anglers. Since the regulations were introduced, Irish boats have not been allowed to fish off the coast, but things do not appear to have changed a great deal. Are the rules in place benefiting the stock? One would imagine that with less fish being caught the stock would be higher. The French and British boats are still allowed to fish-----

Deputy Simon Coveney: It is much further out at sea.

Deputy Mick Wallace: Yes, it is past the 50 km mark. Given that they are allowed fish there, do we know that letting small boats fish off the coast, even for a short period of the year, would definitely impact on the angling industry?

Deputy Simon Coveney: These are fair questions. We are trying to take a cautious approach towards this stock because it is very vulnerable. If we start catching them commercially again, we could do huge damage and they would take a very long time to recover. They do not grow quickly, unlike other stock that can recover quickly. It is not just the inshore fishermen and the smaller boats that are concerned about this. I have been asked about this by the owners of bigger boats also, who are actually discarding large volumes of bass which they catch while trying to catch other fish. They say it is crazy because they must dump dead fish over the side of the boat, and ask if they can be allowed to bring in a small quota. The danger with that is that if one agrees to allow a certain quota of fish to be caught, one sends a signal that it is okay to start catching bass commercially again. One is then into a quota management situation for a very delicate stock. I would be slow to do that.

We must make decisions on the basis of science and information. We are currently in discussions with the Marine Institute on ways in which we could conduct scientific research on the bass stock. I am very protective of this stock. First, it is very valuable. Second, it is very important for both angling and tourism. That is not to say it could not be very important for commercial fisheries as well, but I would require convincing before changing the current approach towards banning the commercial netting of bass given that it is such a delicate species.

Deputy Mick Wallace: While I obviously do not agree with overfishing, could more research be carried out to ascertain the best thing is being done?

On a different point in respect of angling, I was contacted by a person from Wexford, Mr. Ashley Hayden, who maintained that the angling industry in Ireland is worth approximately €100 million. He reckons south-east Ireland potentially has a world-class angling product but that it is poorly developed and marketed, with the result that only 5% of Irish tourist anglers stop in the south east and generally only do so for a single bed night. Mr. Hayden personally visited a major angling association in south Wales with a membership of 3,000 and over the past six months, has managed to get 300 people from this association to come to the south-east region of Ireland for a week. As they spent an average of €1,000 per head, he reckons doing this has brought approximately €300,000 into the local economy. He thinks a professional should be appointed in the south-east region to promote angling and to further develop what he did himself.

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Thu May 17, 2012 2:04 pm

Thanks John for highlighting this.
First of all I don't blame deputy Wallace for asking these questions. He is only doing what some of his constituents have asked him to do. It is our job as sea anglers to educate him to our point of view. It's interesting that he does not see the irony in making his final comment about the corrispondence he recieved from Ashley Hayden. (Ashley deserves great credit for getting in touch with him).
What I would ask anglers to do is take a moment to contact him on mick.wallace@oireachtas.ie and tell him how important bass angling in Wexford is to you. Tell him how important the current bass legislation is when you make your decision about where you spend your hard earned money. The more people that do this the better. I will be doing this myself on behalf of Irish Bass. It does not really matter if you fish in Wexford or not. If you are a sea angler then it should matter to you.
The fact thay Mick Wallace spoke about angling at all shows that he is definitely open to our point of view. Just take a minute to let him know how important bass are to you. If anybody lives close to him why not call and see him. Better still invite him for a days bass fishing!

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Thu May 17, 2012 3:18 pm

email sent. Took me all of 5 mins to do.

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Thu May 17, 2012 9:04 pm

I'll certainly do that myself.

Another thing I think people should consider is a small and simple message of praise for Simon Coveney for the stance he took - perhaps on his Facebook page or via email. Obviously stress that there's still work to be done which is certainly the case.

Yours hopefully,
John D.

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Thu May 17, 2012 9:22 pm

Excellent idea John. For those who may not have access to his facebook page why not pop him a message on simon.coveney@oir.ie. We really need to keep him on our side!

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Thu May 17, 2012 9:26 pm

E-mail sent to both people.

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Fri May 18, 2012 10:42 am

Letter sent to Mick Wallace TD on behalf of Irish Bass;

Dear Deputy Wallace,

I am contacting you as chairman of the Irish Bass Group, in relation to the Dail question you asked on the 11th May about a change to the bass legislation. Irish Bass is a conservation and lobby group that represents over 1,200 members, many from your own constituency



While I completely understand your reasoning in asking the question on behalf of some of your constituents, I would just like to bring to your attention a few points that you may not be aware of.



While general sea angling in Wexford is not what it once was, Wexford is currently getting a reputation as a top class bass angling destination. Articles in specialist angling magazines have appeared right across Europe and even the US and have been read by hundreds of thousands of potential visitors. Bass is the number one saltwater sport fish right across Europe but because of mismanagement stocks of mature bass in most countries are in a poor state.



Due to our current bass legislation Ireland is now considered the number one destination to target these very sporting fish on rod and line. It is the only species of fish, both fresh and saltwater, where Ireland has a clear competitive advantage, but even in these very difficult times we are not taking full advantage of the situation. Amongst other issues we have a serious lack of specialist providers. This is a surprising situation given that we have had our current restrictive legislation for over 20 years. The reason for this however is very simple. For people to invest in a bass angling business they need to feel that the resource that they will depend on is secure and sadly this has never been the case. Up until very recently the bass legislation had to be renewed annually and even now when it is on a permanent footing it is constantly under threat, both from a very active illegal fishery and from constant efforts to have the law overturned.



Bass are unlike many of our other marine fish. They are extremely slow growing and for climatic reasons, several years can go by when no juvenile stock survive. This explains why the stock collapsed so quickly the last time we had commercial fishing for them. Even after 21 years it is only considered to be about 5% of its historic level but still well ahead of our European counterparts.



These are also tough times for commercial fishermen but allowing them even limited access to our recovering bass stocks will do little to alleviate their problems while at the same time destroying the extraordinary potential that a well protected and managed bass angling fishery can achieve.



I would be delighted to meet you in person to discuss this further as there are many other points that need exploring.



I am a full time bass guide and owner of a bass fishing lodge in Co. Kerry. I would be delighted to take you bass fishing so you can see firsthand what all the "fuss" is about. We might need to cover up the pink shirt though as it could scare the fish!!



Best regards,

John Quinlan.

IRISH BASS

www.irishbass.org

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Fri May 18, 2012 10:49 am

emailed both

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Fri May 18, 2012 4:00 pm

In fairness you have to give Simon Coveney credit. The man is well briefed and speaks well. I said I was impressed with him before...I think I am more impressed as time goes on. (I usually don't have much time for political-speak :) )
It would be great to see him remain in this ministry for the duration.

Re: Bass discussed in Dail Eireann - May 14th 2012

Sat May 19, 2012 3:49 pm

Well done & thanks patk!

Excellent letter John Q.

Great point JimC.

Pat pat pat pat on the back back back back - someone's gotta do it :wink: