Stuie Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 http://mailchi.mp/02439c773365/sea-bass-2018-fishing-opportunities?e=1d4a97663e View this email in your browser Get your voice heard before it's too late - last chance! The EU Commission and the EU Fisheries Ministers are meeting on Monday and Tuesday to negotiate and agree the EU fishing opportunities for 2018, including for bass. In case you haven't heard the news, the EU Commission has proposed that the public should be banned from landing any bass in 2018 and be restricted to Catch & Release only from July to December. But at the same time, they are proposing that commercial hook & liners should be able to catch 4 tonnes a year - a "restriction" in name only, since it would only impact 1% of UK hook & line vessels (just 5 vessels). Public anglers are the most sustainable stakeholders and deliver the greatest socio-economic benefits. The EU Commission is proposing 900 tonnes of bass landings for 2018 - this should be allocated first to the public. It is also disturbing that the EU Fisheries Ministers are considering "by-catch" allowances for commercial netters and bottom trawlers, despite the EU Commission proposing no by-catch allowances. We have examined the UK landing data for 2017 and can see that many netters have been landing more than their legal limit and many have been having repeated catches with 90% - 100% bass. So much for "by-catch only" for fixed netters in 2017! If you want to get your voice heard and get the laws that you want for 2018, please email the EU Commission. Let's make sure they are in no doubt of what public anglers and conservationists want. A fair deal for bass and bass anglers. Here are the EU Commission email addresses: Maja.Kirchner@ec.europa.eu jonathan.shrives@ec.europa.eu Katarzyna.WALCZAK@ec.europa.eu Stanislovas.JONUSAS@ec.europa.eu Watch out for our updates from Brussels on Monday and Tuesday via the Save Our Sea Bass Facebook page. E-mail opportunities to have your say! I've done so with a suitably worded epistle to all four 'legislators????' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.