Heed warning on sprat stocks

COLIN BARNES, originally from Sussex, has been fishing in Irish waters for over 30 years.

For as long as I’ve known him — since 1987 — he has been dedicated to marine conservation, his knowledge gained not only from literature but, more importantly, from local observation.

When Mr Barnes sounds the alarm on a potential marine disaster, I take him seriously. I hope Minister of the Marine Simon Coveney does likewise. He only has to look at the man’s record and reputation to realise that his is a voice that must be listened to.