Friends' Work

// Coveney's rejection of commercial sea bass fishing welcomed

Friends of the Irish Environment have welcomed Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Simon Coveney, TD, decision to refuse the 2009 the Federation of Irish Fishermen [FIF] request to allow the commercial fishing of sea bass in the Celtic Sea.

The Minister has confirmed to the organization that he is ‘not proposing changes at this time to the current arrangements in relation to bass fishing.'

The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has sought in 2009 to allow Irish commercial fishing vessels to target sea Bass and land it when caught in offshore waters. FIF's proposal was to change the Irish regulations to permit Irish commercial fishing vessels to retain and land sea Bass caught south of (51.30'N) in area VII.

The Minister informed FIE that ‘In the intervening period this proposal was not progressed and the Minister considers that the proposal has lapsed at this point.'

Irish sea bass is protected by the Irish bass protection legislation which was first introduced in 1990 but only became permanent in 2006. There is a complete ban on commercial fishing for bass and anglers are only allowed to keep 2 fish in any 24 hour period. They must be over 40 cm and cannot be sold.

The change was opposed by a wide range of sea angling associations.

FIE Director Tony Lowes said that as a rural based environmental organization they were acutely aware of the value to coastal communities of sea angling, valued at at least €8 million a year.

‘Sea angling draws sportsmen to Ireland from all over the world and brings much needed cash to remote communities that are especially hard hit by the current economic conditions.'

‘It is not only the sea bass who will benefit by the Minister's wise decision.'

Verification and further comment: Tony Lowes 027 74771 / 087 2176316