Draft bass policy - May 2012

[Dicenintra]

The report is a great start, but I think there is a glaring gap. The Minister for agriculture is the ministry with legal responsibility for Bass so the report is nothing more than an aspiration. The Dept Agriculture are the ones who make the rules and regulations concerning Bass and they need to be involved in the report and sign of on it as a strategy for a stock which THEY manage if it is to have any power, otherwise it can be pretty much ignored.

Its true that the Dept of Agriculture holds the Bass legislation. The do however have limited responsibility for the management of the stock. The IFI, Marine Institute, Failte Ireland and the SFPA all have responsibility for Bass management so management is actually divided between two departments.
The IFI is responsible to the Department of DCENR and the Marine Institute is part of the Dept of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. This is why both needed to be involved in the policy. Had the MI not been involved then your point would be a valid one.
The trout and pike policy groups did not have that complication as the Dept of DCENR is primarly responsible for their management.
Hope this clarifys things.

Trust me I know this stuff inside out, The decision to allow commercial angling for bass is solely a decision for the Minister for Agriculture, no other Department has a mandate. They may be consulted but they have no power or veto. The MI is a science organisation they have no role in deciding policy, only providing scientific advice. Look at any of the dail questions on Bass, DCENR will never answer a bass PQ, its always DAFM.

The IFI has a mandate to promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling, Bass are not specifically mentioned so the DCENR has no specific role for Bass just sea fish generally. In the same way MAFF is responsible for mackerel cod or boarfish its role is to facilitate commercial interest bass is no different. Thats why I think if you can get Minister Coveney to agree to the policy then it is a huge protection for angling interests.

[JohnQ]

Hi Dicenintra,
Your points are very valid. Because the legislation is held by DAFM any changes to it do have to be made by them. At the present time Simon Coveney supports the current legislation and seems sympathetic to our cause.
As regards parlimentary questions, those asked so far (I've had a few asked myself) refer to changes in the legislation. DCENR is responsible, through the IFI for bass legislation enforcement and promotion. This is where bass differ from other marine fish where the IFI do not have the same responsibility for enforcement. The SFPA also have responsibility for bass but their primary focus is the compliance of the commercial fishing industry to EU fishery legislation.

Given you indepth knowledge of angling matters would you concider joining the IFI forum. I could really do with your help and support especially with the bass policy.

[Dicenintra]

John,

The legislation section 7 IFI act 2010 setting up the IFI gives it responsibility for sea angling and Bass is not mentioned. So it has no specific role in Bass management any more that cod or dab management, which is a pity.

Sorry I cant participate but I'm always available by PM.

Think about getting Coveney to adopt the policy though.