Bass Fishing News

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Hi all

Just been emailed this so I thought I would post it so all can see

“22nd of March 2004-03-22

Western Morning News Page 3 Reporter Andy Greenwood.

Title

“ Protect sea bass and save dolphins’ plea”

Radical conservation measures to protect sea bass , end the annual slaughter of dolphins and safeguard a multi-million Westcountry industry have left the Government” nowhere to hide” campaigners have warned.

The Bass Angling Sportfishing Society has tabled a management plan to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which would close the sea bass fishery within UK waters from January to March.

Designed to protect vulnerable stocks, the measures would end the pair trawling within 12 miles of the Westcountry coast. The restrictions would significantly reduce the hundreds of dolphins that drown in the nets of bass pair trawlers-mainly French and Scottish boats-every winter.

Crucially, conservationists are convinced the Government, which has refused to ban bass pair trawling, can introduce the ban under EU law.

“ By protecting breeding stocks, the bycatch problem would be solved in our own waters and we would also get an increase in fish”, John Leballeur, chairman of the society, said.

“ Bass are part of our history in the South West and we must protect them for the future. You only have to look at the other species that have been decimated to see what could happen. We need to act before it is too late for the benefit of everybody-inshore fishermen, the tourist industry and the dolphins-in the south west.”

Campaigner Lindy Hingley, founder of Brixham Seawatch, said the Government could no longer “hide behind” the EU.

“ For far too long the Government used the excuse that action must be taken by the EU” she added . “ But Ministers have got nowhere to hide now-they can introduce these restrictions and must do so. We’ve waited for too long already. They must act to stop these apalling dolphin deaths. It doesn’t matter how we arrive at protecting dolphins, whether it is through conservation measures to protect sea bass or not, but we must protect them before it is too late.”

The Bass Angling Sportfishing Society says the plan was based on sound science. Instrumental in setting up bass nursery areas in Westcountry estuaries-including

[We need to act before it is too late for the benefit of everybody]

the Exe, Teign, Plym, Tamar,Lynher,Camel, Fowey, Taw and Torridge-in 1990,
it launched a tagging scheme with the Government’s Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2000. In two years 7,000 fish were tagged-80 per cent of which, Mr Leballeur said were cauight by bass pair trawlers.

“ The offshore fishermen are catching the fish that have been protected in our nursery areas,” Mr Leballeur, eho lives in Lympstone, said.

“ Breeding stocks have been decimated because they are catching fish before they can spawn.”

As a result the society also wants to see a phased increase in the minimum landing size to 55cm. The current limit is 36 cm- sea bass only spawn when they reach 42-43 cm. Overall, he said, the measures would protect stocks, result in an increase in the size and value of fish, cut dolphin deaths and protect the sea angling trade which is worth millions of pounds to the Westcountry economy every year.

However, closing the bass fishery for thre months would hit local fishermen. Andrew Pascoe, vice –chairman of both the South West Handliners Association and the Cornwall Fish producers Organisation, said they couldn’t support the three month ban.

But he added: “ It is ludicrous that we have a limit that is below the breeding size of the fish. That has to change . There is room for further conservation measures and we are really fighting for the same things.”

“ If pair trawling was banned that would solve the problem because they land 80% of the bass”.

The proposals have been backed by Lib Dem Adrian Sanders who is set to press the Government for action in a debate next week.

However, Mr Sanders said it was possible that the government would “misinterpret” the EU habitat directive.

“ The problem with these things is that unless they are tested in a court of law we don’t move forward”, he added.” I’m convinced by the evidence but it has not yet convinced Defra officials. But we can’t wait any longer because by the time they accept the evidence it may be too late.”

A spokesman for Defra said the proposals would be considered. He added “ We are aware of the cetacean aspect of the bas fishery and are very keen to increase stocks.
We will look at the proposals very carefully.”