There is a difference between sustainability in commercially netted fish stocks and sustainability in recreational angling .
The difference is that the commercially netted fish can be of small size to supply the market whereby the small bass are of little interest to the recreational angler who wants large fish.
The only way the fish can get larger is for a reduction in commercially netted fish allowing the current stocks to attain a larger size.
The recreational angler knows this and is quite prepared to return fish alive to attain his goal.
Unfortunately trawling or gill netting rapes the sea bed and environment and is indiscriminate in its kill rate and species .We need proper conservation ideas based around a long term plan and I think commercial fishing within 3 miles of shore should be carefully cointrolled.I do not include charter boats as commercial fishers as they arte mostly true conservationists in order to maintain their future livelyhood.
Peter Gasson
Posted on 25 Jan 2008 8:41 pm
There is a difference between sustainability in commercially netted fish stocks and sustainability in recreational angling .
The difference is that the commercially netted fish can be of small size to supply the market whereby the small bass are of little interest to the recreational angler who wants large fish.
The only way the fish can get larger is for a reduction in commercially netted fish allowing the current stocks to attain a larger size.
The recreational angler knows this and is quite prepared to return fish alive to attain his goal.
Unfortunately trawling or gill netting rapes the sea bed and environment and is indiscriminate in its kill rate and species .We need proper conservation ideas based around a long term plan and I think commercial fishing within 3 miles of shore should be carefully cointrolled.I do not include charter boats as commercial fishers as they arte mostly true conservationists in order to maintain their future livelyhood.