Bass Anglers’ Sportfishing Society

Fighting for Bass and Bass Anglers’ since 1973

Consultation on fisheries management measures for Dorset, Hants and IOW

 

The Southern inshore fisheries conservation authority (IFCA) is consulting on management measures in their area of Dorset Hampshire and IOW in January (see: http://www.southern-ifca.gov.uk/news ). This will help to shape the way the fishery is managed in the future.

The Key objectives for consideration when reviewing management measures within the Southern IFCA include:

•Management should achieve sustainable fisheries and environmental resources. Where
possible, selective, low impact and sustainable fishing methods will be encouraged.
•The socio-economic needs of the community will be balanced with the need for
management regulations and to support young and future users.
•Management regulations should be well informed and evidence-led, where possible,
making use of scientific stock data .

One of the principle questions asks for opinions on “What measures you think are necessary to fulfil our key objectives for each of the focus areas identified?

So in relation to measures that come out of this review it is the perspective of many, (such as the head of the BASS restoration committee Nigel Horsman) that resulting management measures should include:

• All “finfish” should have a minimum landing size set at a length equating to breeding size plus one years growth (for bass this equates to 48cm)

• There should be total ban on netting within 300m of the shoreline and a total ban on netting in nursery areas.

So what is needed is for as many of us anglers who either live OR (like me) fish in this area to get involved in the consultation and offer our views on your fishery (whether they are the same of different to the ones above.) Only through involvement will we get a fairer deal from the IFCA. The details of the meetings are

  • Weymouth Angling Society, DT4 8NF: Monday 5th January, 15:00 to 19:00
  • The Thistle Hotel, Poole, BH15 1HD:Tuesday 6th January, 10:00 to 18:00
  • Eastney Cruising Association, PO4 9LY:Thursday 8th January, 15:00 to 19:00
  • Riverside Centre, Newport, IOW, PO30 2QR:Friday 9th January, 15:00 to 19:00

The timings to be honest are wholly inconsiderate for anyone who works normal hours, however if you don’t make an effort you won’t have a say in your future fishery. Fortunately feedback by email is possible; just read the above consultation document and email your oppinions as to how you think your fishery should be managed to: enquiries@southern-ifca.gov.uk

 

Finally to me this consultation demonstrates how IFCAs (if they are run according to their key objectives!) have the potential to enable fisheries to be managed for the  good of all and not just the benefit of a few. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this.

 

Blogger: Matt Spence