Anglers firmly oppose return of commercial bass fishing

OVER the past year, efforts have been made by to have the ban on commercial bass fishing in Irish waters lifted.

The lobbyists suggest stocks have increased significantly and an open season could be accommodated, without harming species.

It has not happened to date, but pressure is ongoing to convince Government.

The Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA) has objected to any changes in the existing legislation, as has Inland Fisheries Ireland.

The bass is considered by many sea anglers, home and tourist anglers, to be one of the most exciting and sought after shore species caught on rod and line in Irish waters.

This magnificent streamlined fish, also called a sea perch, with its spiked dorsal fin and powerful forked tail, commands the respect of shore and small boat anglers alike.

Bass are often compared to salmon, hence the local misnomer salmon/bass. This species can be located very close inshore and are caught from surf beaches, estuaries, rocky promontories and piers using a variety of methods and tackle.

Back in the 1960s bass were prolific around the Irish coastline, especially in the southern half of the country from Wexford to Clare. During the 1970s and the 1980s, bass were targeted commercially.

In a comparatively short period, stocks were reduced dramatically and the Government introduced a strategy of positive action.

My own club Cork Sea Anglers was to the forefront in pressing for an inquiry.

Club records were produced at the subsequent Inland Fisheries Enquiry held at the City Hall in Cork which showed a staggering decline in club catches of bass all along the coastline.

Kinsale was a prime example. In the 1960s and 1970s one was assured of a bass if a shore angler fished the Kinsale Estuary from the town right up to Kilmacsimon Pier.

I enjoyed and saw some magnificent catches of bass from this estuary. However, within a short few years the local stock of bass were wiped out.

My best bass at 9¾lbs was a tantalising quarter pound off the specimen size and was hooked at Owenahinca Beach to win the Cork SAC club cup.

Following the Inland Fisheries Enquiry a conservation bye-law was implemented, which prohibited commercial fishing and a ban on the sale of Irish bass. Anglers were allowed to fish with a bag limit and size control.

We now know that bass are an extremely slow growing fish and are principally a Mediterranean fish so they are a the extreme limit from the warm waters there around our coastline. It takes many years to replenish exhausted stocks as bass do not travel very far from their local area.

Marine experts believe we will never see the halcyon bass angling days of the 1960s ever again. Anglers are now only allowed to have two bass in their possession in any one 24-hour period and they must be over 40cm in total length.

There is a closed season for bass from the May 15-June 15 each year, which is their spawning season.

If you accidentally catch a bass during this period, just return the fish alive to the sea.