Brian Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Slipper limpets not permitted to be used as bait or disposed at sea By Press Release - Mar 30, 2015 This article was last updated on March 30th, 2015 Advice on the release of live or fresh slipper limpets (Crepidula fornicata) The MMO is advising all marine users that the release of live or fresh slipper limpets (Crepidula fornicata) into the wild is an offence. The slipper limpet is a marine mollusc and is a non-native species in the UK. They can starve and smother native shellfish and compete for food and space with oysters. Damage to shellfish by slipper limpets can affect the ability of fishermen to sell their catch, particularly oysters mussels and scallops. See information on the slipper limpet on the GB Non-native Species Information Portal (GBNNSIP) The molluscs are already established in South England and South Wales although they are not currently prevalent in the North of England. The release of slipper limpets to the sea is an offence and must be avoided in order to protect shellfish beds that are currently free of this species. This includes the use of live or fresh slipper limpets as an angling bait, or disposal at sea, which may allow the escape of eggs and larvae into the marine environment. Sea users who find slipper limpets should report to the Marine Biological Association. Marine users who are aware of any use or disposal of slipper limpets should report the information to the MMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 So what do we do with any that we hook when fishing? We can't use them as bait and we can't dispose of them in the sea. Maverick Martin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 The slipper limpet has been in poole since i was a lad (yes Jim that was ages ago) Go along sandbanks through to Hengistbury head after a good blow and you will see loads of them washed up on the beach. if they are a pest then probably a little late to do much about them down our way Martin.C, Kingfisher 126 and Jim 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun j. Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 They've been here in the UK since 1888....accidently brought in with a consignment of oysters from the US [probably into Southampton].....and now smother much of the South and SE coast. I don't know when they moved around Landsend....they weren't in South Wales when I was there in the 60's....and I first came across them in the early 70's when I was a student and used to fish beaches in Sussex. They were a good bait [or bait addition] then, and still are....esp after a blow. The points above, are all an attempt to slow their progress into new habitats......whatever we do here will have no consequence....just don't take them on a trip !! Martin.C 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 ....................................... Sea users who find slipper limpets should report to the Marine Biological Association................................ Does this mean that every-time we accidentally hook one, we've got to report it? Their phone is going to be very busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 They were certainly in Poole harbour when I was 14/15 (1969/70) in large numbers. I had my best ever flounder session with my old fella in his Poole Canoe catching flounders using only slipper limpet we had caught in the harbour, only used this as we had run out of rag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bream on Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Bit late to shut the gate now I think !! In the 50's my Father I use to pick up buckets of them after a blow and we would salt them down into jars and keep them for when bait was in short supply or short of money !! Great bait for Bass fishing from the shore when the surf is running ! Maverick Martin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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