Skate mutilation

[Artfulfisher]

Absolutely Sickening!

 

I believe I saw a similarly mutilated fish in a magazine some years ago...

 

The report stated that the fish had most probably been caught by an ill prepared and completely heartless angler (angler is not the word I'd use!). Once this 'angler' had brought the fish to the surface he either didn't have a gaff or didn't know how to use it, or indeed any other means of boating such a large specimen, and so turned to his knife...

 

It appears he then stabbed the fish, in this case on the left side first, but as you can see the blade sliced through the flesh cutting ever closer to the edge. So without a moments hesitation the barbarian stabbbed the fish on the other side and finally managed to haul it aboard...but not before inflicting another massive scar and much needless suffering! :mad:

 

If I stll had the article I'd post it up for you all, but the similarity instantly jogged my memory.

 

It may not be the explaination in this case, but frankly explainations are insignificant when harm has been caused to such a magnificent creature.

 

The only comfort we can draw from this is that it's recapture by responsible and well prepared Anglers has allowed us to see that despite the obvious suffering it must have endured it has made a good recovery and appears in great health.

 

Thanks for the report Davy and congratulations again to Norrie and yourself on two fantastic captures.

 

Art

[Alan Taylor]

Leon, the idea of a licence is not the type that allows you to retain Common Skate but as Davy said as a way of gathering more information and tagging them as etc etc, good read Davy.

 

Alan

[Leon Roskilly]

Alan Taylor:

Leon, the idea of a licence is not the type that allows you to retain Common Skate but as Davy said as a way of gathering more information and tagging them as etc etc, good read Davy.

 

Alan

Yes, I understand the intention, but I can't see the practicality of a licence 'to fish for skate'.

 

Sorry, I may not be expressing myself very well.

 

Having a 'licence' to do something means being able to define that activity in a legalistic way that seperates it from any other activity.

 

If the activity of fishing for dogfish is essentially the same as fishing for skate, then a skate fishing licence is a nonsense.

 

You can then just fish for dogfish (with heavy gear) and catch skate, no licence needed.

 

Tight Lines - leon

[Alan Taylor]

Lets try another tack, you have a rugular drivers licence, that tells other motorists that you are an efficient driver (or should be)of a car and that you have passed your test. Now lets get more specialised and you have a HGV licence (higher skills required) or a light van or whatever they are in the UK. Now a vehicle is a potential deadly weapon in the wrong hands, it does not give the driver the rite to kill or be drunk while driving. His licence would soon be taken away.

 

Most of the above is taken on trust but is policed up to a point (manpower/money etc).

 

Now lets take the same situation with responsible anglers, I am neither for or against a general licence for sea fishing. Its that if people are honest and are going to target Common Skate then they should have a licence the same as a driver and his car, had lessons, is using the rite gear and is assesed as being competant to deal quickly and safely with a Common Skate as well as passing on all the relevant information.

 

If respected Charter boat skippers were issued with a licence to fish for Common Skate this could also cover the anglers on his boat, bit like an L driver and a qualified driver sitting next to him.

 

Comparing fishing for Dogfish and Skate is a nonsense, start at either end, the hooks used or the reels used etc.

 

The Common Skate could also be a major tourist industry to parts of Scotland and Ireland if handled with care.

 

Sorry to ramble but I have just had 4 hours pushing a vacume cleaner and toilet brush to think about this one.

 

Leon, with all due respect, go up there and give it go if you have'nt already.

 

Cheers for now.

 

Alan

[Leon Roskilly]

Alan Taylor:

Leon, with all due respect, go up there and give it go if you have'nt already.

Been there, done that. 162lbs

 

I don't think I'll try it again though, not until Davy gets a higher sided boat.

 

When a fish that size decides to go back to the bottom I found it difficult not to follow it, being strapped to the rod and all!

 

 

 

Tight Lines - leon

[SandTiger]

I heard somewhere that in lot of European countries you have to take a basic competence test before you can fish. Not sure how accurate that info is but I can't see anything wrong with it?

[Davy Holt]

Hiya,

 

OK just to clarify a few things

 

the "license" will be required as you are targeting a protected species .. just the same way you need a licence to handle Dormice, bats etc.

 

The licence is to be a boat licence so it wont affect any trade and it was to be issued free.

 

You are never going to stop anyone accidentally catching a skate, just the same as you can stop anyone catching an Allis or Twate shad. You can however make it illegal to land one dead.

 

Paul, yes the commercial pressure on skate is minimal at the moment but we all know how quickly that could change if they found a market for them.

 

By doing what we are we will Be closing the barn door before the horse bolts

 

[ 07. September 2004, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Davy Holt ]

[Yakity - Yak - u.k.]

Hi Folks,

 

Pretty sickening stuff.

I feel the same as most of you, just cant see why someone would do such a rotten deed.

Have looked again at the pictures, and it does appear the wounds have been made by a knife .

SICK !!.

I hope the pond life that did this gets his just deserts along the way.

 

Yakity.

[Davy Holt]

Hiya Art,

 

Can you remember anymore about that artical??

 

sounds like it could be the same type of thing

[Norrie]

Davy, It does look as tho the previous captor was trying to cut a couple of handles for him/it to haul the fish out of the water.... :mad: :mad: