Sea bass too vital a resource to be left to trawlers focused on short-term financial gain

I WISH to highlight the alarming news that the Department of Fisheries is considering allowing commercial fishing of bass to resume.

In the past Irish trawlers devastated the stocks of bass in this country and the species was almost wiped out due to shortsighted tactics employed by commercial boats.

The Irish fishing fleet has proven it is incapable of self-regulation and seems determined to focus on short-term financial gains resulting in total destruction of our bass stocks. Angling tourism contributes significantly to the economy, bringing in much-needed tourism to small communities and helping to sustain local economies. Bass angling is an €8 million industry in Ireland which directly and indirectly employs hundreds of people. Those jobs must be protected.