inshore netting iow

[tommy a]

Stevie,

How do we go about getting the name of our local fisheries minister then and even though I live in Chepstow is it still worth me sending a letter in support of the bass managment plan ? Ill happilly do anything to help our sport to survive and get better for all.

Incidentally have any of you got the TSF magazine from last month or this - the article on the killing of TOPE is in there along with a slip to send to the goverment I think. I will be doing this and wandered if others will be doing the same - dont want one poxy bloke to start ruining the fun of tope - especially when I aint caught one yet !!

[Steviecops]

Tommy
It doesn't matter where you live, if you go fishing you have a say. The consultation for the bass management plan is open to all anglers, not just bass anglers, and not just those that live near the coast.

To find you local sea fisheries officer, look here;

http://www.nfsa.org.uk/general/sfc.htm

Also write to your local MP. Tell him/her how and why inshore gill netters are spoiling your enjoyment.

[Calincalif]

Please forgive my uneducated ingnorance...but what is a TOPE????

[Steviecops]

It's a small shark.

[Calincalif]

So they are caught as sport fish then..not as food?

[Steviecops]

There isn't really a market for them in this country but they are sometimes caught as a bycatch by commercial fishermen who target other species. These fish do sometimes end up on the market but the price is very poor, sometimes they end up getting dumped.

For sea anglers however, Tope are one of our most prized sportsfish. People spend a lot of money in pursuit of large Tope, far more than they are worth when sold as food.