Bass Decision Right On All Counts Says NFFO
“Jonathan Shaw’s decision to draw back from his predecessor’s decision to increase the Minimum Landing Size for bass from 36 cm to 40 cm was right on all counts,” said Dave Pessell, Chairman of the Bass Action Committee, an NFFO coordinated campaign group.
The previous minister, Ben Bradshaw, wished to placate the angling lobby and he had agreed to an increase in the MLS to 40 cm, despite the fact that this would have serious implications for the commercial bass fishery, leading to a dramatic increase in discarding.
However, at an 11th hour meeting in March, just before the decision was finalised, the NFFO spelt out to the Minister:
- A MLS would result in discards of over 100,000 bass per year
- A significant number of inshore fishermen would be pushed out of business if the MLS was increased.
As a result of this, Ben Bradshaw was persuaded to delay the decision and withdraw the Statutory Instrument, which gave force to an increase in the MLS, pending the outcome of a review of the evidence presented by the Bass Action Committee.
The new Minister, Jonathan Shaw, on taking office, found this unresolved issue in his in-tray and on 1st October he met with Anglers, the Bass Action Committee, along with officials and scientists. The Action Committee stressed its willingness to work collaboratively with scientists and anglers to ensure the continued health of the stocks, as well as working in line with the Commission’s new initiative to reduce discards.
Dave Pessell said, “The Minister clearly found our arguments persuasive and must be congratulated for his political courage.” |
