By November 1999, the Project had been running for 18 months, and things were happening at such a pace that we felt the need to communicate with our members and contributors by a newsletter. Peter Macconnell took on the role of producing Newsletter No: 1 (Winter 1999), from which these pieces are taken.
What’s In A Name?
Much hard work has been done by the Project team members, and a number of important things achieved. Malcolm Gilbert, the Project’s European Liaison Officer said recently We are not just aiming to conserve bass, they are in far too depleted a state simply to be conserved. Our objective is the restoration of these stocks to their former abundance.
At the recent Project meeting held in Taunton on 7th November, the team were in full agreement. Hence the new name – The BASS Restoration Project
A Few Words From Our Leader!
During the last two or three years, Malcolm Gilbert, has developed a growing interest in the recreational marine angling scene in the USA, primarily revolving around some exciting success stories where anglers have got themselves organised and mobilised to exert serious influence on the politicians and fisheries legislators. As a result, some species regarded as highly desirable to recreational anglers have been much better managed so as to provide larger and more abundant fish for anglers.
Reading through literature from a variety of US organisations such as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, It was the the word Restoration that got him thinking. A publicity brochure jointly issued by the above organisations about striped bass was headed Restoring a Legacy. One of the logos adopted to raise awareness of the successes was simply three words encircling a drawing of a fish – Sport Fish Restoration.
We, the Restoration Team and the BASS Committee take the view that what can be done there can be done here. We will not settle for anything less. Most recently members have been developing a leaflet to be circulated to anglers, politicians, angling tourism and coastal related businesses, tackle companies and everyone else who can persuade and influence on our behalf.
Many other activities have taken place, and much is planned for 2000, not least a national conference together with the Marine Conservation Society at Aston University in March 2000. Many speakers will be making the arguments, including internationally renowned experts. It is intended that the conference and our cause will receive much increased media coverage, both in the specialist, and more importantly, the mainstream press, radio, and television