drseafish

For those with the capability of downloading a audio file. An interview took place this morning between an RTE (Irish national broadcaster) reporter and Mr Fishler regarding his views on the propossed Cod ban and is available on the rte website (www.rte.ie/news) on the 07 Nov 2002. Overall I think it gives an insight into his idea about fish stocks and conservation and the fishing industry in general. Sitting on the fence. Regards

If you want a multiplier go for the Abu Mag Elite or the Penn 525 Mag. These reels are built to last and if looked after will cost you less in the long term. The 525 Mag is faster than the Elite and takes a bit more getting used to and is therefore less forgiving to an inexperienced caster (speaking from experience), however the retrieve ratio is higher which is useful when fishing over snaggy ground.

Spinning from open beaches for bass is very hit and miss, your better trying a estuary or rock marks. Surface poppers are all the rage, but vary retrival rates, slow works well, bass have even hit static poppers. Kilty catchers may work well on open beaches. Good luck.

In relation to sea fishing from the shore their are some good marks around the area. The best beach mark is Lacken strand close to the river mouth, sea-trout, flounder, dab, turbot, bass, dogfish are definate possibilities. Sandeel, lug or mackeral will work. Some good tackle shops are in Ballina and most have bait or at least can point you in the right direction. The pier at Lacken at night can be good for similiar species as above with pollock and strap conger added to the list. Other places worth trying are Enniscrone beach and pier, but its really only worth it at night. Avoid Enniscrone beach if there has been lots of rain as Killala Bay fills with river water from the Moy on the Enniscrone side. You can charter boats for deep sea angling or try some exellent sea-trout fishing in the moy with Jud Ruane, the tackle shops will advise. Regards Noel.

The article may be overstating a problem but a problem never the less. Their is without question an commercial over fishing problem, with juvenile fish been unable to achieve an age to spawn and this concerns many species caught up in modern fishing techniques which do not discrimate and destroy habitats. I recently read an article regarding fish farms in Scotland which found that marine worms and crustaceans were present in very low amounts in proximity to fish farms, which must be related to chemicals used to control sea lice. However, I do feel that their is a need for fish farming as it possibly means a less relaince on wild fish in the future, and not just in relation to Salmon, but for turbot, cod and possibly plaice. My point is that we who are interested in preserving the marine environment for what ever reasons should uniting and not nit picking about what the causes are but doing something about the problem before its to late.

A very informative article. I think many people are aware of whats going on, especially those who have a interest in the Irish marine environment, for social or commerical reasons. I know most of the public are blissfully unaware of what has happen over the last decade or so, it always confounds me, as for an Island nation we are very ignorant about the sea etc in general. Our problems started in joining the EEC when most of our fishing rights were sold cheaply to get enhance our argicultural development, mainly dairy farming. The farmers have always had a strong lobby, but the fishing community were always to small to be effective in europe and to paltry for our governement to monitor probably. In respect very little research has been undertaken on the marine environment around Ireland in relation to argiculture and this has not helped putting a stop or even a check on what is happening, as little real figures exist to back up any direct lobby. I regularly shore fish, and have noticed the dramatic decrease in fish and at the same time have to view the undersize fish regularly sold in Irish fish markets. Their appears to a complete lack of interest to deal with the problems of over fishing and pollution and making the government of the day do something other than throw paper at it. We need a conserted lobby group which would involve all interested parties, even the fishermen before this issue will be taken seriously. I notice recent goverment departments do not include a dept of marine, it looks like its been downscaled further. This issue has bugged me for years and I cannot see a stop to it until its not commercially viable for boats to fish, but this maybe to late for all concerned.