It’s a mixed message on bag limit.
Disappointment on bag regulations brings our Government into disrepute
As well as eating turkey and mince pies over Christmas, we have been reflecting on the outcome for sea anglers of the last EU Fishing Opportunities meeting that the UK will attend, assuming Brexit goes ahead. It is, of course, deeply disappointing that we did not get two of the things we were asking for – an increase in the number of bass we can take for the table each day, and a percentage of daily catch restriction for fixed netters, to stop them illegally targeting bass.
The fight continues, though. Sea anglers are not quitters and we will not rest until we have a sustainable bass fishery and a fair share of the total bass catch for ourselves.
The scientists at ICES provided tonnage estimates that showed the bag limit could sustainably be increased to two or three fish for seven months. However, the EU Commission told us there were errors in the calculations (ICES subsequently advised there weren’t) and then told the UK Government, ignoring the ICES advice, that increasing the bag limit from one fish to two fish might double sea anglers’ tonnage and, therefore, a precautionary approach was needed.
There seems to be a double standard being applied. In October 2017, when we objected to the wayward ICES estimate of the impact of sea anglers (which was subsequently withdrawn), the EU Commission insisted on accepting the advice and giving sea anglers a complete ban in 2018. But now, when ICES has reviewed their methodology and produced an improved estimate of the impact of sea anglers, which supports an increase in the bag limit, the EU Commission has seemingly rejected the ICES advice out of hand. We will be challenging the EU Commission on this at an early juncture.
However, we are pleased that the fishery managers accepted our request to increase the bag limit period from six months to seven months and to run it from April to October, when it is most useful for us.
UNENFORCEABLE
The proposal to stop fixed netters illegally targeting bass, by introducing a percentage of daily catch restriction, was blocked by the UK and the Netherlands. They told the EU Commission they support a limited targeted bass fishery for fixed netters. So, we continue to live in a fantasy land where the law says it is illegal for fixed netters to target bass, but in practice fixed netters are targeting, landing and selling catches made up entirely of bass, with complete impunity.
Our fisheries minister, George Eustice, and Defra know full well that the MMO is unable to enforce the current law, and this might suit them just fine and dandy if they are happy to see fixed netters targeting and landing bass, even though it is illegal.
George Eustice and Defra need to understand that it is behaviour like this that brings fishery management and Governments into disrepute and they should hang their heads in shame.
The Government is playing a dangerous and unsavoury game with the rule of law by seemingly turning a blind eye to illegal fixed netting. It is a very unwise step and risks other stakeholders questioning why they should follow the law when others are not and are being allowed to get away with it.
For goodness sake, George, and Defra, show some integrity – if you want fixed netters to target bass, then make your case to the EU, and if you lose, accept this and make sure we have a properly designed law that can be enforced.
On a more upbeat note, we are pleased that commercial fishermen were only given small increases in their allowances for 2019. In particular, we are delighted that the EU Commission stopped attempts by bottom trawlers and seiners to move from a one per cent of daily catch restriction to a three per cent of monthly catch restriction – a sneaky move that would have made it possible for bottom trawlers and seiners to target bass again.
The EU Commission is clearly determined to keep a lid on commercial bass fishing pressure until the stock is back to a safe level and we applaud their position – a healthy bass stock is a prerequisite for the future of our bass angling. ■
“George Eustice and Defra know the MMO is unable to enforce the current law”
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