More bad BASS news

[Ian Burrett]

http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40866

[Norm B]

http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40866

Can't access it, not a member.

[Steve Coppolo]

Another cop out.

 

Yet again restrictions on anglers proposed, (unlicenced boats include angling boats. Bag limits on the horizon.), while nothing worthwhile is done to improve our sport or protect bass stocks. What a pile of 5hit.

Edited October 11, 2006 by Steve Coppolo

[Ian Burrett]

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QUOTE(Norm B @ Oct 11 2006, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can't access it, not a member.

 

Bass Minimum Landing Size Standardisation

 

The minimum landing size (MLS) for sea bass is to be standardised in Welsh waters out to 12 nautical miles at 37.5cm, with a minimum mesh size (MMS) of 100mm, Carwyn Jones, Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside announced today.

 

These measures have been in place out to 6 nautical miles in the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee district since 1997, with a MLS of 36cm applying to the rest of Welsh Waters out to 12 nautical miles. These measures will become standard across Wales, allowing more consistent enforcement, through a Statutory Instrument which will come into force in 2007. Sea Fisheries Committees will also be encouraged to introduce limits to the number of bass individuals from non commercially-licensed fishing boats can take and land.

 

Carwyn Jones said: “Commercial fishermen and recreational anglers have stressed that the biggest threat to bass stocks comes from the illegal sale of bass by non commercially-licensed fishing boats. That is why I am encouraging Sea Fisheries Committees to introduce limits to the number of bass non commercially-licensed fishing boats can take and land.”

“This, along with the Registration of Fish Buyers and Sellers Regulations, will protect bass stocks by targeting the black sector, which, according to the Bass Anglers’ Sportfishing Society, takes at least 35% of all bass landings in Wales. These measures will, it is felt, have a greater impact on stocks than increasing the MLS in excess of 37.5cm, whilst at the same time minimising both the economic impact on the commercial sector and the level of discards of undersized fish.”

 

The effectiveness of the measures will be kept under review with further changes made if necessary.

 

These measures are the first in a wider package being considered by the Welsh Assembly Government in relation to sea angling. Work is currently underway with anglers, commercial fishermen and other interested parties in developing an overarching Welsh Fisheries Strategy and this will inform provisions to be considered for inclusion in the Marine Bill in relation to sea fisheries.

 

The Minister’s decision follows a period of consultation, meetings with stakeholders and an evaluation of the evidence and the costs and benefits of the options.

 

Notes to Editors

 

1. The consultation, which closed on 14 February, sought views on a number of options including an increase from 36cm to 45cm in the minimum landing size (MLS) of bass and a corresponding increase in the minimum mesh size (MMS) for fixed gear. Approximately 230 responses were received. A summary of these responses and a Regulatory Appraisal, which evaluates the costs and benefits of the proposals are available from Fisheries, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.

 

2. The Minister also met with representatives from the Bass Anglers’ Sportfishing Society; the Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers; the South West Wales Association of Sea Angling Clubs; the Welsh Federation of Fishermen’s Associations; and the South & West Wales Fishing Communities Ltd., before making a decision.

 

3. Evidence from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is that bass stocks are currently healthy and fished sustainably.

 

4. The new MLS and MMS will apply to English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh fishing vessels when in the Welsh part of UK fishery limits. The MMS applies to all enmeshing nets (such as gill, tangle, drift, trammel and seine nets), but only to those vessels whose catches compose over 10% bass.

 

5. The MLS will not apply to other member states’ vessels. However, fewer than 10% of bass tagged within the UK inshore fishery and reported as recaptured were taken by other countries' vessels. This suggests that the main benefits of these measures would accrue chiefly to fisheries operating within the UK 6-mile zone.

 

6. The MLS will also apply to sea anglers, whether fishing from the shore or from a vessel. These measures will be implemented through a Statutory Instrument.

 

7. Defra conducted a parallel consultation in relation to the English territorial sea and announced, on 10th August, that they will be introducing a 40cm MLS and a 100mm MMS.

 

8. The overarching Welsh Fisheries Strategy which is being developed may include elements such as management of key stocks of interest to anglers, improving access, controls on anglers, as well as other sea angling development opportunities.

 

9. The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (SWSFC) district covers the sea out to six nautical miles from the coast between Cemaes Head in Pembrokeshire and the Rhymney River in Cardiff, except in the Severn Estuary, where the district extends to the mid-point between Wales and England.

__________________

[maidstonemike]

Another cop out.

 

Yet again restrictions on anglers proposed, (unlicenced boats include angling boats. Bag limits on the horizon.), while nothing worthwhile is done to improve our sport or protect bass stocks. What a pile of 5hit.

 

Do what the commercials have been doing for years and getting away with it, fish illegally.

[Manxman]

"Bass Minimum Landing Size Standardisation"

It should be based on the Manx MLS of 430mm. which it is planned to increase again.

Also ALL types of netting are illegall within 750 meteres of the meam LW mark on twenty four glorious miles of productive bass beaches

[Steve Coppolo]

"Bass Minimum Landing Size Standardisation"

It should be based on the Manx MLS of 430mm. which it is planned to increase again.

Also ALL types of netting are illegall within 750 meteres of the meam LW mark on twenty four glorious miles of productive bass beaches

 

Sounds like you've got it sorted over there.

[Manxman]

Not quite Steve, Ireland seems on the right track with a closed season, MLS an two fish a day limit I think

[Steve Coppolo]

Not quite Steve, Ireland seems on the right track with a closed season, MLS an two fish a day limit I think

 

Haven't they been having enforcement problems recently though?

[Ken Davison South Wales]

Carwyn Jones said: “Commercial fishermen and recreational anglers have stressed that the biggest threat to bass stocks comes from the illegal sale of bass by non commercially-licensed fishing boats. That is why I am encouraging Sea Fisheries Committees to introduce limits to the number of bass non commercially-licensed fishing boats can take and land.”

“This, along with the Registration of Fish Buyers and Sellers Regulations, will protect bass stocks by targeting the black sector, which, according to the Bass Anglers’ Sportfishing Society, takes at least 35% of all bass landings in Wales. These measures will, it is felt, have a greater impact on stocks than increasing the MLS in excess of 37.5cm, whilst at the same time minimising both the economic impact on the commercial sector and the level of discards of undersized fish.”

 

This does eliminate none licensed netters at least that is a bonus.

 

Not much else to shout about though.