mullet slaughter

[Leon Roskilly]

The thing to remember about mullet is just how long-lived and slow growing they are.

 

Not many people realise that in UK waters it will take a mullet around 10 years to reach 3lb (the age at which females first spawn).

 

Bigger fish may be many years older.

 

All the evidence shows that mullet stay in the same area and, where there are mullet enthusiasts, the same fish is often caught several times in a season.

 

No other fish of their size fights longer or harder, especially on the light tackle that is used by successful mullet anglers.

 

Kill a specimen mullet and it will take nature a decade, maybe two decades to replace it with another.

 

Most mullet specialists wouldn't dream of killing a mullet, and take unkindly to others, especially those without the skill to take a mullet fairly, killing their favourite fish, and their sport.

 

As someone who happily kills and eats mackerel, sole, plaice etc I cannot easily explain why I feel a rising anger at the thought of fellow 'anglers' killing mullet.

 

There is no logic to it.

 

Perhaps if you were to spend a season or two fairly catching and returning these powerful and long-lived fish, learning so much, and realising just how much more there is to be discovered about them, you might begin to understand.

[Dan]

Sensible words Mike! Nice cod by the way!

 

Dan

[stavey]

The thing to remember about mullet is just how long-lived and slow growing they are.

 

Not many people realise that in UK waters it will take a mullet around 10 years to reach 3lb (the age at which females first spawn).

 

Bigger fish may be many years older.

 

All the evidence shows that mullet stay in the same area and, where there are mullet enthusiasts, the same fish is often caught several times in a season.

 

No other fish of their size fights longer or harder, especially on the light tackle that is used by successful mullet anglers.

 

Kill a specimen mullet and it will take nature a decade, maybe two decades to replace it with another.

 

Most mullet specialists wouldn't dream of killing a mullet, and take unkindly to others, especially those without the skill to take a mullet fairly, killing their favourite fish, and their sport.

 

As someone who happily kills and eats mackerel, sole, plaice etc I cannot easily explain why I feel a rising anger at the thought of fellow 'anglers' killing mullet.

 

There is no logic to it.

 

Perhaps if you were to spend a season or two fairly catching and returning these powerful and long-lived fish, learning so much, and realising just how much more there is to be discovered about them, you might begin to understand.

 

As usual leon, you always manage to put over points that most of us cant put in to words, nice one it explains what mullet and proper sport fishing is about, as for these complete muppets foul hooking intentionaly all i can say is what i have said already and i stand by that, trouble is they are going to drag the people who realy care about sportfish under with them, the real danger is not the obvious leon it is from within sea anglers themselves that i am afraid about the only way maybe in the future is to make a sportfish like mullet a zero take totaly and only available to catch and release i know one popular club would'nt mind that and encourages this to all its members dont you????????

Edited January 25, 2006 by stavey

[Dan]

I understand what you say Leon and it’s the same reason why the debate gets so heated when you talk about bass and the BMP, they are a slow growing fish too. We all get emotional and about the bit of the sport we are passionate about. But I guess we have to try to convince others of why we feel like that. 20 or 30 years ago who would have thought it would be common place to return one of the best eating fishes we can catch …. the Salmon? And that’s because of exploitation on a commercial scale

Unfortunately shouting (and I’m not saying you are!) and demanding will not change opinions, that a more gradual affair. I doubt rod and line fisherman will on their own be able to decimate the mullet population esp as its agreed that they only eat well when they are in open water.

 

There are two issues here, foul hooking and the taking of mullet difficult to separate I know!

 

Stavey

Mike makes a good point, what is considered sporting by you may still be considered cruel by others. I have heard it often said by non anglers that they can understand people hunting for fish and eating their catch but purposely going out to catch fish for pleasure and then release them is sport at an inoccent creatures expense.

 

You are right that we have to be together once the angling community starts fighting itself PETA and the like will sit back and watch us tear ourselves apart. A quiet word to those anglers explaining the life cycle of the mullet is more likely to be sucessful than a full frontal assault!

 

Dan

[Sharkbyte]

I'm sure a nice clean reservoir carp could be made to taste acceptable with the correct preparations, however one would be stoned for such an act.

I am no particular fan of carp fishing but you have to respect any angler that goes out of their way to fulfill their hunting instinct and yet displays the kind of care for their captured quarry you would expect to see at a neo natal unit. These fish are then returned for other to enjoy year after year.

Its about time sea anglers pulled their socks up and realised some fish are best treated with that same respect. Just look at the Skate boys, the way Smoothound and Tope are respected by many charter boats, need I say it a growing proportion of Bass anglers and not least Mullet specialists up and down the country. All of these species are perfectly edible, it is just that many regard their sporting value far higher than the taste.

 

Its no good sea anglers saying 'Whats the point of returning fish, the trawlers will just get them anyway' thats crap. Take for instance Cromer Pier, it has a resident population of very large Bass for much of the year lurking amongst the piles. They didn't get that big by accident, they have found a niche environment that has kept them away from gillnets and provided them with a good source of food. Now the word is well and truly out that these fish are present, many flock there to land one. Few fish are returned and some individuals are present day after day to take these fish, probably flogging them for a few bob. It will not be many years before they are gone in the numbers we once enjoyed. There will be no blaming the commercials for that.

 

I haven't always thought this way, at one time I enjoyed spearfishing more than angling, one of my first mullet weighed over 7lbs and was positively dwarfed by some of its mates. Thankfully I never did spear one of the doubles. Education changed all that, the thought of killing a fish nearly as old as me fills me with regret and until they make C+R spears with a rubber sucker on the end, it can stay in the loft.

 

Roll on the sea angling licence, I couldn't give a fig if it costs as much to administer as it takes in revenue. Sensible bag limits to positively incriminate the hobby commercials and some ethics brought into a sport that desperately needs outside respect.

[Sharkbyte]

I have heard it often said by non anglers that they can understand people hunting for fish and eating their catch but purposely going out to catch fish for pleasure and then release them is sport at an inoccent creatures expense.

Will these same people be responding to the BMP or joining SOS. No, its those who have a passion for the species involved, getting out of bed at ridiculous'o'clock in pursuit of them, appreciating the sport they give, taking a few photos and returning them unharmed that will provide the 'innocent creatures' with a future.

 

You are right that we have to be together once the angling community starts fighting itself PETA and the like will sit back and watch us tear ourselves apart. A quiet word to those anglers explaining the life cycle of the mullet is more likely to be sucessful than a full frontal assault!

 

You are quite right Dan, education is the key.

Edited January 25, 2006 by Sharkbyte

[Dan]

Will these same people be responding to the BMP or joining SOS. No, its those who have a passion for the species involved, getting out of bed at ridiculous'o'clock in pursuit of them, appreciating the sport they give, taking a few photos and returning them unharmed that will provide the 'innocent creatures' with a future.

You are quite right Dan, education is the key.

 

 

I'm not sure if by "these people" you mean those that take a fish for tea or the non anglers who think catching fish for fun is cruel? Certainly the non anglers wont help! but in the summer I am a passionate bass angler and I take fish for the pot, I also put fish back. Does that make a lesser person or less likely to campaign for better fishing protection ..... no it doesnt! Ive replied to BMP, hassled Ben Bradshaw (he's my MP) and will join SoS if I agree with it (dont know enough about it yet but in principle it gets my vote).

 

The problem is convincing non anglers that hooking a fish dragging it of the water photographing it and releasing it "unharmed" is looking after the fish! It is an objective opinion.

 

I think my point is that has to be room for both those who take fish and those who release them, PROVIDING the stocks are sustainable. Wanton slaughter of fish whether mackerel or mullet or skate

 

BTW please tell me that they dont still gaf skate to bring them aboard, thats hard to convince people that its humane!

 

dan

 

 

Dan

 

Roll on the sea angling licence, I couldn't give a fig if it costs as much to administer as it takes in revenue. Sensible bag limits to positively incriminate the hobby commercials and some ethics brought into a sport that desperately needs outside respect.

 

I'm with you on that!

 

Dan

Edited January 25, 2006 by Dan

[Sharkbyte]

Sorry Dan, I could have put it a bit better. I meant it has traditionally been those in angling circles with the strongest catch and release ethic that have formulated organisations such as B.A.S.S., S.O.S., National Mullet Club. Without them the angler that takes a few in moderation would have nothing to support. A bit stereotypical I know but nontheless true in my opinion. The comment was aimed at those that think its just cruel to catch fish and return them, as they would never lift a finger to protect a species from the biggest enemy, Commercial Overfishing

 

Don't think I am some C+R nut, I have taken a handful of Bass over the past year or so, there is nothing wrong with taking a few. My personal thoughts are that specimen fish should really go back if we are to retain a few corners of the seas where we can continue to enjoy good catches of fine fish.

 

One thing I will never understand is why pockets of fish such as the spawning Bass shoals off of the Guernsey coast are not protected whilst numbers are still healthy. From what I have read current numbers are said to be sufficient so as to allow the localised slaughter will continue. Do we always have to wait until numbers have crashed sufficiently before any kind of protection is put in place. When will those in control realise prevention is better than cure.

 

The gaffing of Skate was a hot potato for a while, I believe the concensus of opinion was that although it's not ideal, enough recaptures of tagged fish over the years proves it has no adverse effect on the species. Again it is a case of those people who set out to put a hook in a fish and return it to fight another day pushing for the real protection they deserve. The Anti's would probably set out to ban gaffing and then not bother to save the fish from any commercial pressure if it arose.

[Dan]

Sorry Dan, I could have put it a bit better. I meant it has traditionally been those in angling circles with the strongest catch and release ethic that have formulated organisations such as B.A.S.S., S.O.S., National Mullet Club. Without them the angler that takes a few in moderation would have nothing to support. A bit stereotypical I know but nontheless true in my opinion. The comment was aimed at those that think its just cruel to catch fish and return them, as they would never lift a finger to protect a species from the biggest enemy, Commercial Overfishing

 

Don't think I am some C+R nut, I have taken a handful of Bass over the past year or so, there is nothing wrong with taking a few. My personal thoughts are that specimen fish should really go back if we are to retain a few corners of the seas where we can continue to enjoy good catches of fine fish.

 

One thing I will never understand is why pockets of fish such as the spawning Bass shoals off of the Guernsey coast are not protected whilst numbers are still healthy. From what I have read current numbers are said to be sufficient so as to allow the localised slaughter will continue. Do we always have to wait until numbers have crashed sufficiently before any kind of protection is put in place. When will those in control realise prevention is better than cure.

 

The gaffing of Skate was a hot potato for a while, I believe the concensus of opinion was that although it's not ideal, enough recaptures of tagged fish over the years proves it has no adverse effect on the species. Again it is a case of those people who set out to put a hook in a fish and return it to fight another day pushing for the real protection they deserve. The Anti's would probably set out to ban gaffing and then not bother to save the fish from any commercial pressure if it arose.

 

I think I can agree to all that! Am knackered, been to Stoke and back today and off to bed!

 

Dan

[Sharkbyte]

I'm tired to Dan, lets fight it together unlike most of the lilly livered beggars on here who go to bed at 10.

Sleep is for wimps.