Save Our Bass
For a while now I’ve been meaning to put a few words together about a resource which has over the years been through some tough times. Our bass numbers were at such a worrying level that it was necessary to introduce bag limits, commercial fishing bans, and closed-seasons. Now worryingly, there has been some talk recently of re-opening the commercial bass fishery.
Hopefully this ‘talk’ will not materialise – if our bass fishery could not sustain commercial fishing before, what makes it any more likely to survive this time ‘round? Are the jobs of all those involved in recreational bass fishing, from the tackle trade, b&b’s, hotels etc, any less important than those of the commercial fishermen? Would the revenue generated from commercially exploiting our bass be greater than the revenue generated from recreational angling? Just think of the thousands of anglers who visit Ireland each year, the many events that take place all around the country, and all the trips you make yourself (and all the €’s you spend as a result).
Anyway, rather than me going to the trouble of writing something, Jim Hendrick has done it for me here (thanks Jim!) – http://www.probassfisher.com/2012/11/the-story-that-nobody-hears.html
Jim writes: what can you do to help?
- Write to Simon Coveney – simon.coveney@oir.ie and tell him of your investment and experiences in bass fishing in this country, ask all your angling friends to do the same.
- If you have travelled within Ireland and stayed overnight ask the B&B or guesthouse/hotel to do the same.
- Lobby your local politician or representative – keep copies of all correspondence.
- If you are a member of an ANY angling club ask the angling club secretary to write to Minister Coveney on behalf of the club and its members.
- If you know of any person in IFI or Failte Ireland express you concerns in writing and ask for an acknowledgement
Irish Sport Fishing 