Bass Ban

[mad4it 694]

I have just seen something on the news about a bass ban for the first six months of next year, recreation anglers can still target bass aslong as they release them alive. It also on wsf aswell i am having trouble putting a link up.

[Lid 194]

Here's a link. I really don't think pleasure angler are an issue. I know that illegal capture on far bigger scale goes on.

[Tiercel 6,986]

In one year that will do more for bass stocks than any other measure. Go to Milford Haven fish dock on any spring tide from February through to May and see the tons of prime breeding bass being off loaded from the pair trawlers. All fish being caught on the migration from their overwinter grounds on the 7degree thermocline in the South West approaches to their summer feeding grounds around the country. These fish are prime breeding fish of 2kilos plus.

 

TC

[longdog85 29]

So what will happen to the tonnes of bass caught in nets dead will they have to drop them overboard ?

[terryd 8,113]

I can see the ban on commercial fishing having a massive affect but can't see how stopping recreational anglers will have much impact. But there you go all for a good cause. Trying to enforce it won't easy as far as recreational goes

I do admire a nice bass mind

Edited December 19, 2015 by terryd

[Rabid 1,936]

I believe that from July 1st the bag limit is one fish.

[terryd 8,113]

Its a funny old thing you can have ten sessions and catch sod all then another and catch half a dozen good fish. Not like your taking fish every trip. Obviously the more you get out and learn the score things start to swing in your favour. Some people return most there fish any way and others don't. I fall in the later category but I have also said when I catch that double its going back. It don't seem right to kill some that has managed to survive that long against the odds. Much rather take the nice 2-4 lbers home

I fish with a chap who is really keen and and being retired he puts in the hours and catches lots of good fish but he returns nearly all and good on him

Edited December 19, 2015 by terryd

[perthshire keeper 1,237]

hmmmmmm first the 3 bass limit...now a bass ban......on good news at least ile be able to buy a load more nets cheap when every one packs up

[Tiercel 6,986]

If you read the link, there will be exceptions for registered inshore fishermen. It does not go into detail of what those exceptions will be, just that there will be some concessions.

 

TC

[perthshire keeper 1,237]

if you have your head screwed on and are ready for a fight..and some proper paperwork to handle then..this wont apply to shore netters

[terryd 8,113]

Bit more info from bass

 

BASS measures 2016

Many thanks for pulling out all the stops in response to our calls for emails to the fisheries officials about the EU proposals for bass next year and catch and release bass angling.

As a result of your efforts, anglers will be able to continue fishing for bass from January on a catch and release basis, with minimal impact on stocks, instead of being faced with a six-month ban. Not only will this help stocks to recover, it will help to safeguard the considerable income which bass angling generates and the jobs which are dependent on it.

Nobody expected the full set of EU Commission proposals to survive the horse-trading which goes on when Member States meet to agree 'fishing opportunities' for the year ahead, but we were stunned by the decision to allow gill-netting to continue for most of the year.This method is extremely damaging to bass stocks and is the one thing that incenses anglers more than anything else. Not only can it physically prevent us from fishing at times, but it can, at a stroke, decimate stocks in a given area which may not recover for years, if ever. It is most certainly not 'low impact' as it has been described by at least one politician. When set against the stringent controls imposed on anglers it is no wonder that the angling community has reacted with outrage. And by failing to address the issue of gill-netting, politicians are jeopardising a £200M recreational bass fishing industry for the sake of a fishery with a value of under £5M. Why not write to you MP and tell them what you think? You'll find them here.

But let's not be too despondent; the measures agreed for 2016 will result in increased protection for bass; not as much as is needed but we can build on this. Let's just hope we're not too late!

We have yet to see a press release from the EU with details of the measures agreed but we have received this email from Bernhard Friess from the EU Commission which briefly describes what's been agreed, as well as acknowledging the emails and letters received from anglers:

Dear anglers,

Over the last months we have received many mails and letters from concerned anglers in the UK and France on the need to further protect sea bass so that we can rebuild this precious fish stock. The European Commission had made a proposal with concrete measures and this proposal was discussed by the Fisheries Ministers from all 28 EU Member States on Monday and Tuesday this week at a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Brussels. The Council has taken a decision on the Commission’s proposal and for 2016 we will now have further measures in place. These cover:

• A fishing closure for all vessels, except for hooks and lines and set gillnets, from 1 Jan to 30 June 2016. During this closure trawlers and seiners are allowed to have 1% of their catches made up of unavoidable catches of sea bass so as to avoid having to throw overboard small amounts of sea bass that is caught in the nets and is already dead.
• A fishing closure for hooks, lines and set gillnets for February and March and a 1,3 tonne monthly catch limit for 2016 for these vessels outside the closed period.
• A 1 tonne monthly catch limit for 1 July to 31 December for all other vessels.
• A fishing closure in waters around Ireland for the whole of 2016.
• For recreational anglers a catch and release fishery for the 1^st half of the year and a 1 fish bag limit for the second half of the year.

These measures a far reaching and will over time help to bring sea bass back to previous high levels. We would like to sincerely thank all recreational anglers that have written to the European Commission and to the Ministers of various Member States.

Your interest is a living proof to us that Europe’s citizens genuinely care about the decisions that are taken in Brussels and want to contribute to the decision making process and we in the European Commission are heartened by this.

We would like to wish you all A Merry Christmas and a relaxing end of year time with your families.

Yours sincerely

Bernhard Friess
Director for the Atlantic and Outermost Regions
European Commission

[longdog85 29]

What tripe one fish to feed your family yet French and Spanish boats will still do as they like in our waters !

[terryd 8,113]

Better start getting me dog used to wearing a coat and a labrador mask

[Hydropotesinermis 724]

I f***ing hate the EU

[mad4it 694]

thank you terryd for posting that from bass