Interesting parallels to the state and issues of Scottish inshore waters.

Condensed from an original article by the Sea Fishery Advisory Group, Irish Seal Sanctuary

March 6th, 2010 – Following its brief to “strive for sustainable use of Marine resources for all users” the Sea Fishery Advisory Group of the Irish Seal sanctuary has attended the NWWRAC since its inception.

We have witnessed the decline of the Irish Sea fishery from a vibrant mixed stock fishery to one which relies heavily on one species (prawns).

ICES (the scientific body which advise the EU on the state of fish stocks) considers that several stocks of commercially important fish are severely depleted.

Having seen the Irish Sea Working Group make several laudable proposals but with stocks still declining and the outlook for fishermen and coastal communities looking bleak, we put together a proposal based on historical evidence of stocks recovering when allowed a break from commercial pressure. In effect this would mean a ban on trawlers operating in the Irish Sea for a period long enough to allow juvenile fish to mature and spawn.

This does not mean a ban on fishing, just those recognised as non-selective, as we have witnessed the large scale discarding of juvenile fish from trawling. As trawling is probably the largest and most valuable fishing method used in the Irish Sea, to many this would seem a end to fishing in the Irish Sea. The majority of people we spoke to about our proposal ruled it out immediately as unachievable and that the fishermen would never agree to this.

At the Irish Sea Working Group meeting in Madrid in March we outlined our proposal to the members, rather than be dismissed out of hand we found the industry representatives to be receptive to our proposal, possibly due to the fact that fishermen are facing drastic reductions in their time-at-sea and allowable catches.

Our proposal to allow the Irish Sea to “Lay fallow” for a period of time to allow stocks to rebuild seems to have struck a cord.

It is important to note that this proposal can only happen with the agreement and co-operation of all fishermen who operate in the Irish Sea. All will benefit from an abundant mixed stock and a wide biodiversity, what we consider a healthy ecosystem. Our proposal will be on the agenda for the next working Group meeting and we intend to push it as much as possible.

For further information please contact;
Johnny Woodlock e-mail;jwoodlock@eircom.net

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