A call to arms RE: Article 47

[petekd]

Our biggest issue as sea anglers is the inability to unite under a common umbrella when it comes to problems such as this. We absolutely need to be singing from the same sheet as part of a single organisation representing our sport. Currently AFAIK the single biggest group of sea anglers in this country is IFSA which to be fair probably doesnt have a tenth of the sea angling population in this country.

I received a letter on Tuesday from Kathy Sinnott MEP as I'm sure did other club secretaries throughout the country. Kathy was looking for advise and opinions on this issue, it was unprompted and unexpected. On the basis that OUR european representatives are willing to listen, we need to present to them a united front against these plans, outlining clearly and concisely, without rancour as to why we will not stand for this.

For all you guys looking for a common umbrella and wanting to stand shoulder to shoulder against this lunacy, go and join a club. Join a club and ask/tell your club committee to make representation to lobby provincial/national council to present a single voice, representing the huge numbers in this country this will effect. Join a club, its the only way and method you as an individual will be counted. Let the numbers within the IFSA swell to a point whereby we dont get pushed around when it comes to legislation. It will be down to the IFSA to elect someone to make representation on our behalf but in fairness, I am sure there are central council members who will be more than happy to do this. Tackle shop owners, Boat owners, casual anglers who dip in and out, serious anglers who have no interest in the match scene..... One and all, I urge you, for the sake of €50 or thereabouts, a measly euro a week to join a club and lets make our voice heard. Want an easy route, click the bar on the index page and join SAI SAC. The framework is already there, lets make our voices heard. You dont fancy spending €50, look at what you stand to lose....

Dont sit back, without some form of representation you will not be seen, you may as well not exist. I understand the dissent against any moves towards licensing sea angling but in fairness, it would have given the government something to think about as it finally has a way to quantify numbers involved. Join an IFSA club instead, its the easiest way forward for us. Numbers equal votes lads and governments are not so stupid as to ever throw away votes. For once, lets all stand together and blow this nonsense out of the water.

SAI-SAC as one of the more higher profile clubs in the country will certainly be making moves on these issues in the near future, we assure you of that and will keep you informed. Ranting and raving amongst ourselves will solve nothing, stand together and put a plain and simple NO in front of these people.

[corbyeire]

good post pete

we dont have time to set up a newer body

and the ifsa for its positives and negatives is a structure already in place and now is the time to use it

swell the numbers

[ROADRUNNER]

Pete your spot on. Now is the time for fighting not talking if we loose this one lads then our sport is F****d

[doggie3131]

pete just recieved this from avril doyle,

Brussels, Thursday 22nd of January 2009

Sea Angling has no part in CFP Compliance says Avril Doyle

Speaking after yesterdays meeting of the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee Avril Doyle MEP for Ireland East and Vice Chair of the Committee said that the prospects for the controversial Article 47 (of the draft proposal on the Community Control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy) concerning the inclusion Recreational Fisheries surviving in its current state are slim to none. The level of concern expressed from colleagues as well as constituents not only in Ireland, but in Scotland and the rest of Europe has meant that the Rapporteur, Mr. Romera I Rueda, has agreed to revisit this Article.

"The CFP control and compliance system needs reform, with priority on need for equivalence of controls and the harmonising of sanctions across the EU, as well as on the proportionality of responses to infringements as recommended by the European Court of Auditors. The Commission provided examples of fines for the same infringements in different EU Member States which astoundingly ranged from 100 to 6, 000 Euros. This is completely unacceptable.

I will be proposing an amendment to delete Article 47 from the report to remove recreational sea fisheries from the scope of the controls. There is good support in the Committee for this move. While it currently would cover off shore sea angling and fish stocks under Recovery Plans, (Blue Fin Tuna and Cod Stocks) we need to establish a record of even handed EU wide compliance before extending
the scope of the Common Fisheries Policy to recreational activities. Article 47 is unworkable and scientifically unjustified as in the main, recreational anglers have a record as conservationists by nature and have a record of cooperating fully with the management of any vulnerable stocks. However the Council of Ministers will have the final say."

Avril Doyle


now thats what i call our politicans working for us!!

[doggie3131]

i agree with you pete that now is the time to join a club, join the ifsa,and make our voices heard,i intend to do both,join this,and the ifsa, I would think nothing of spending 100 euros on a night out, but now the money going to be put to better use!

[jd]

Nice to have Avril on our side, she is extremely able. She recently steered the energy-climate change package through the european parliament, no easy task.

[doggie3131]

unfortuntely she is not running in the next european elections!

[jd]

unfortuntely she is not running in the next european elections!

Indeed, I think I mentioned this earlier..

[petekd]

Thats heartening news, however this does not change what I am asking above. There are other issues facing our sport, article 47 aside and issues that havent arisen yet. We have Co. Cos trying to ban us from marks, we have rumours about licensing, we have issues with poaching and overfishing. The only way we are ever going to get anything done or protect ourselves against future problems is by standing together and making our opinions heard as one voice. Swell the ranks, stand together and lets fight for our sport, The EU, the Government and ill informed Co. councils are not going to dictate how we act on OUR shores!

[BASS POINT]

Our biggest issue as sea anglers is the inability to unite under a common umbrella when it comes to problems such as this. We absolutely need to be singing from the same sheet as part of a single organisation representing our sport. Currently AFAIK the single biggest group of sea anglers in this country is IFSA which to be fair probably doesnt have a tenth of the sea angling population in this country.

I received a letter on Tuesday from Kathy Sinnott MEP as I'm sure did other club secretaries throughout the country. Kathy was looking for advise and opinions on this issue, it was unprompted and unexpected. On the basis that OUR european representatives are willing to listen, we need to present to them a united front against these plans, outlining clearly and concisely, without rancour as to why we will not stand for this.

For all you guys looking for a common umbrella and wanting to stand shoulder to shoulder against this lunacy, go and join a club. Join a club and ask/tell your club committee to make representation to lobby provincial/national council to present a single voice, representing the huge numbers in this country this will effect. Join a club, its the only way and method you as an individual will be counted. Let the numbers within the IFSA swell to a point whereby we dont get pushed around when it comes to legislation. It will be down to the IFSA to elect someone to make representation on our behalf but in fairness, I am sure there are central council members who will be more than happy to do this. Tackle shop owners, Boat owners, casual anglers who dip in and out, serious anglers who have no interest in the match scene..... One and all, I urge you, for the sake of €50 or thereabouts, a measly euro a week to join a club and lets make our voice heard. Want an easy route, click the bar on the index page and join SAI SAC. The framework is already there, lets make our voices heard. You dont fancy spending €50, look at what you stand to lose....

Dont sit back, without some form of representation you will not be seen, you may as well not exist. I understand the dissent against any moves towards licensing sea angling but in fairness, it would have given the government something to think about as it finally has a way to quantify numbers involved. Join an IFSA club instead, its the easiest way forward for us. Numbers equal votes lads and governments are not so stupid as to ever throw away votes. For once, lets all stand together and blow this nonsense out of the water.

SAI-SAC as one of the more higher profile clubs in the country will certainly be making moves on these issues in the near future, we assure you of that and will keep you informed. Ranting and raving amongst ourselves will solve nothing, stand together and put a plain and simple NO in front of these people.

Pete where can people get information and or read up on Article 47

[petekd]

Thread running below this BassPoint with links in it for different areas.

[jd]

good post pete

we dont have time to set up a newer body

and the ifsa for its positives and negatives is a structure already in place and now is the time to use it

swell the numbers

The other thing is that it is the recognised body (through the aci) , so though people may have issues with it, it is the best vehicle for making representations politically.
john

[Senor Feeshy]

Great work lads. I'll be sending off me check for SAI-SAC memberships on monday.

As this is clearly a numbers game, may I suggest a free SAI-SAC membership level for those who can't afford the €50. I understand this would be a problem insurance wise so obviously such members couldn't participate in comps etc. I'm just talking about those who wish to add their voice and be counted.

s. feesh

[petekd]

Hi Senor,

Unfortunately, a large portion of membership goes towards IFSA for affiliation and insurance for each member. This question was mooted to me via PM by another user recently too. Given that IFSA are already the recognised body, it makes no sense to proceed with anything other than IFSA affiliation as without affiliation, you willnot be recognised. I will raise something with the rest of committee whereby maybe we can look at a reduced membership fee for non participating members within the club. IE, join, have your IFSA affiliation and number but not play a part within the club if that makes sense. Should you wish to participate in our club events (opens excluded) you would have to pay full membership. Cant guarantee anything on this lads but I will raise the question.

[petekd]

In regards to this it has been decided that for people who wish to answer the call so to speak, that don't intend to fish our competitions etc that we can offer a reduced membership fee of €30 to SAI-SAC. IFSA insurance and affiliation is €25 per member, the club also has to pay a fee of €290 each year to the IFSA, there are other small costs too for admin and paypal expenses so realistically this is as low as we can go on this. I'm sure JD will sort out something under the Join club banner at the top of the forums when he gets a chance.

This will give you full IFSA affiliation and insurance which means you are able to fish or participate in any IFSA affiliated clubs open competitions. You will be issued with an IFSA Card and No. However, you will not be able to take part in SAI CLUB comps as opposed to any opens we may hold which you will of course be more than welcome to participate. Only full members of SAI SAC will be permitted to vote on issues raised at our AGMs.

I hope this goes some way towards helping people along. It is important and I stress again, without recognition your opinions are not going to be counted.

[corbyeire]

excellent work on this pete - hopefully more will stand up and be counted

save our sea fishing and have a say on it

its all our sport

[rebelfisherman26]

yes boys good work there by the sounds of thinigs is there any meetings comming up soon that we need to let our presentes be know i would gladly travel any where to help get things sortrd

[BASS POINT]

http://rinnashark.forumakers.com/articl ... d-t539.htm

[Leon Roskilly]

Latest from England

http://www.sacn.org.uk/Conservation-and ... rt_47.html

[donal domeney]

Latest up date

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Articl ... 9?UserKey=


Watch this bit "it up to national authorities to decide whether or not to include recreational fishermen in the regulation"