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Monday, October 17, 2005
Why 45cms mls for bass
BASS has taken an advert in the November issue of 'Sea Angler' magazine as part of our campaign to inform the sea angling public why an increase in the minimum landing size (MLS) for bass is so important and necessary. We have posted a copy of that advert on this web site and hope you will find the time to read it. Should you wish to comment, please do so, by clicking on the 'comment' link at the end of this notice and follow the instructions.
[photo - Mathew Spence with a 5lb bass caught off Welsh coast 2005 - photo courtesy Julian Fox]
In addition we have produced a section titled, how you can help, where you will find copies of various posters you may download and use to publicise the proposed increase in bass mls. This section will also contain hints on writing to Defra, in support of the proposals, as soon as the consultation over the increase in the bass mls is formally announced by Defra (expected October/November 2005). Please tell your sea angling friends. Thank you for your support.
posted at 8:39 AM - [email this]
If you would like to make a comment on this article, please contact BASS and we'll add your comment below.
31 October 2005 - From Anonymous:
As bass spawn offshore and most pelagic pair trawling takes place outside 12 miles, you are penalising the small boat inshore fishermen by restricting fisheries there. We all know that the real damage being done is the targeting of breeding bass offshore. As a commercial fisherman and angler I know that there are now more bass than in a long time.
1 November 2005 - From John Leballeur, Chairman, BASS:
Dear Anonymous
You are quite right when you say that most pelagic pair trawling takes place outside of the UK's 12-mile limit - especially since Ben Bradshaw banned pair trawling within specified areas of the 12-mile limit last year.
Bass do migrate to spawn, but the recent bass tagging study (also available to view on this website) has clearly shown that far fewer bass now go out beyond the 12, as was previously the case.
When BASS and the NFSA Conservation group met with Defra on 12th January 2005, to discuss the detailed proposals within the Bass Management Plan, Bass expert, Dr Mike Pawson of CEFAS, provided an up-to-date scientific assesment which stated that "It is probable that the potential benefits of unilateral management measures inside UK territorial waters will accrue mainly to UK exploiters". This was based on a preliminary interpretation of tagging studies carried out since 2000, which suggest that the offshore fishery accounts for some 10% of total fishing mortality on bass around the coasts of England and Wales.
In other words approx.90% of bass no longer migrate beyond the 12 and small inshore boat fishermen and anglers will benefit the most from the increase in MLS to 45cm.
I hope that this information clarifies your concerns.