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House of Commons
Labour MP Martin Salter, the Government's
Spokesman on Angling Attacked the Fisheries Minister in the
Commons
Martin Salter spoke for Sea Angling in the House
of Commons, attacking the Fisheries Minister, Jonathan Shaw for
reneging on implementing an increase in the minimum size of bass.
It was a robust defence of the NFSA and BASS's stance on
raisig the minimum size of bass to make sure female fish spawned
at least once. Following is a press release on his fifteen
minute Adjournment Debate attack on the Fisheries Ministers
decision from the NFSA issued on November 26th.
Information from NATIONAL FEDERATION OF SEA ANGLERS CONTACT: Alan
Brothers, hon. public relations officer. Tel 01273 471 496,
mobile 07957 870 616, abrothers1037395@aol.com Promoting and
protecting the interests of sea anglers nationwide
Date:
November 26 2007 Minister abandoned fisheries science, says MP
The government has “flown in the face” of its own
fisheries advisers, Cefas (the Centre for Environment, Fisheries
and Aquaculture Science), in refusing to increase the minimum
landing size of bass. The decision looked after the short-term
interests of the inshore commercial fishing fleet rather than the
long-term interests of the species and the environment, according
to Martin Salter, the government’s own parliamentary
spokesman on angling. He told the House of Commons (on November
22) that just two years ago Cefas had recommended the size should
be increased. “It is incumbent on us to take the long-term
view. The science shows that, although increasing the minimum
landing size for bass would mean a short-term depletion in the
fish available to be … caught by the commercial sector,
there would be a long-term increase.” Thanking him for
expressing the anger and dismay of sea anglers at the decision,
Richard Ferré, the chairman, of the NFSA said in a letter:
“We are not naïve enough to expect an immediate U-turn but
hopefully it will encourage the minister to take some other rapid
actions to rebuild confidence.” Mr. Salter said increasing
the landing size to 45cm would double the weight of sea bass
which was a valuable recreational fishing species. “Just as
people spend a lot of money to catch quality salmon - far more
than salmon would ever fetch on a fishmonger’s slab -
people will spend a lot of money to enjoy quality recreational
bass fishing.” The optimum spawning size for female bass
was 42cm. It was simple conservation to give every species the
opportunity to breed once to promote sustainable fishing. Mr.
Salter said he had tried to make a case for a sea angling licence
but he absolutely agreed with the National Federation of Sea
Anglers that this could only happen if there was a significant
improvement in the sport available to sea anglers. The
minister’s decision had “driven a coach and
horses” through the government’s new strategy for
recreational fishing and through any attempt to make a case for a
licence.
Last updated on: Monday, 7th January 2008
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Wyvern Open on Beesands & Slapton. 6th Jan 08
155 anglers fished in the Open Shore at
Slapton/Beesands at the weekend, with around 30 returning to the
scales to weigh-in their fish. Fish caught included
Flounder, Dab, Pollack, Coalfish, Pouting, Bream, Bass,
Dogfish and Whiting. The weather on the day was
forecast good but as the day went on the wind and rain
arrived.
In first place was Chris Equall from Cardiff who
weighed in a Dab of 0-15-6 and a Dogfish of 2-2-4 (164%) this won
Chris the £150 cash first prize. In the runner up spot was Steve
Floyd from Mortenhampted. Steve also caught a dab and
Dogfish combination for 130%. Third spot was filled by Ben
Stockley from Weymouth with 127% (Dogfish/Whiting). Prizes
down to 12th place were awarded by Julian Shambrook who kindly
provided some good sponsorship on the day.
The Team Shield this year was won by Team Anyfish
Anywhere and they were J Shambrook, M Stote, C Equall and D
Chidzoy.
The pool money for the single best fish was
awarded as follows, 1/ Ashley Cockram with a Whiting of
1-6-6 2/ Dane Lane Whiting 1-5-6
3/ Chris Equall Dogfish 2-2-4.
Last updated on: Tuesday, 8th January 2008
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Concerns over the Torbay Festival
There was a very disappointing
attendance at the Torbay Sea Angling Festival AGM, with just
eight people turning out on Tuesday 8th January 2008. Following
the reading of the 2007 minutes, chairman Jim Laing made his
report, his last before retiring, and welcomed those who had
attended, before asking where the others were!
However, he said that he was concerned over the future of the
festival as it has become more and more difficult to get
volunteers for the committee and the posts concerned.
PLEASE EMAIL THE CLUB IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
VOLUNTEERING.
Despite early appeals, there was no-one to take on the post of
secretary this time.
There is a desperate
need for action by all the Bay clubs, for the festival was a
success this time, but for how long!
He ended by thanking all those who had worked hard through
the year to make the 2007 event a success, and the good weather
had seen quality fish caught.
The website set up by Mike Concannon was a success, and he felt
that it would be a shame for the festival to perhaps fold after
40 years, but unless more helped out there appears no
alternative.
Secretary Mike Concannon gave his report, thanking all the
sponsors for their massive support, especially ABU Garcia UK for
the quality prizes they put up.
Treasurer Matt Dart gave a balance sheet report with some items
still to be accounted for, but taking into account the stocks on
hand, both held over prizes and new entry books, the break even
point was very acceptable, and expenses should be lower in the
coming years.
Entries had been increased by more than 200 this past year, and
with many coming from the middle of the country this kept the
event as a national one.
The election of officers followed, all proposed at the final
committee meeting, and Jim Ling stepped up to be president. Other
posts: Chairman - Paul Cottell; Vice-chairman - Tim Churchward;
Treasurer - Duncan Middleditch; Cup Custodian - Matt Dart; Weigh
Master - Tim Bird; Brochure Co-ordinator - Doug Mosedale; Advert
Co-oridnator - Jim Laing; Minute Taker - Joan Mosedale; the posts
of Secretary and Information Officer stay vacant.
The clubs with delegates present were Brixham SAC and Torbay
& Babbacombe ASA. It was disappointing to see none of our
club members (PSAA) present.
Last updated on: Friday, 11th January 2008
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Cargo Ship Sinks off the Devon Coast
Ice Prince Sinks After Dramatic Rescue
A cargo ship abandoned by its crew after she
listed to 40 degrees off the Devon coast has sunk.
Pictures courtesy of Sky News
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the
Ice Prince went under at 12.45am local time.
The Greek-registered ship was carrying a cargo of 5,258 tons of
sawn timber.
Some 20 crew, including a man with a broken leg, were rescued by
helicopter and lifeboat in storm conditions on Monday night after
the vessel's cargo of timber shifted and she began to
list.
At a quarter to one this morning, (Tuesday 15th
January 2008) the general cargo vessel Ice Prince sank in very
rough weather approximately 26 miles south south east of the
Portland Bill," a MCA spokesman said.
"She had been monitored throughout the evening and night by
the French Coastguard tug Abeille Liberte and a further JP
Knights tug, the Anglian Earl. Salvors are aboard both
tugs."
Crew members were rescued
The spokesman added that both English and French
Coastguards were warning approaching shipping of the hazards in
the area. There is a lot of
timber just floating around in the channel.
"Just before she sank, the crew of the
Abeille Liberte reported that further deck cargo had been lost to
the sea and that the angle of the list had increased," the
spokesman went on.
He added that visibility was very poor in very
rough weather in the Channel and the tug was remaining on scene
as a guard ship to the wreck.
A counter-pollution surveillance aircraft was
expected to fly over the scene at first light to see the extent
of the debris on the surface of the water.
The 6,395 ton Ice Prince sent out an emergency
call at 7pm on Sunday after getting into difficulties.
Last updated on: Tuesday, 15th January 2008
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Wyvern Presentation Night 2008
Last night (Saturday 19th January
2008) the Wyvern Presentation Night took place at Exeter and
around 80 people attended the function.
The evening started with a slide show and talk from Peter
McConnell, who is the Chairman of the BASS society. Peter
explained what the BASS society had been pushing for since their
formation in the early 1970’s and most agreed on the night
that there were more and bigger Bass around in the 60’s and
70’s than there are now and with help from the BASS Society
we are all hoping for some changes in the future.
The main presentation then followed straight on with all the
major trophy winners and all the fish of the month’s
results for 2007. In the fish of the month awards, some 120
medals and certificates were handed out to the winning clubs who
came from an area from West Bay down to Plymouth.
The Division’s major award for the best specimen fish
through the year went to Steve Fedrick of the Rodbenders
SAC. Steve caught a boat Cod of 33-13-0 (198.8%) and this
won him the Castle Trophy Tray and a cheque of £100 to give to
his chosen charity (National Liver trust). In the junior
section James Eden also of the Rodbenders won the best fish from
the junior boat, James landed a Garfish of 2-6-0 (158.3%) and
this won him the Watney Mann cup. The best junior shore section was won by
Aaron Nathan of Paignton SAA with a Mackerel of
2-4-12.
Other Paignton SAA club members also
took certificates and medals they were Juniors Steven Amer - Luke
Davies - Aaron West - Liam Cosgrave and Seniors were Steve
Underwood - Carl Underwood - Mike Barnes & John
Case.
Steven Amer also had a certificate for a
Wyvern Boat Record Cuckoo Wrasse.
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S. Amer receiving his
Wyvern Boat Record Certificate
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Wyvern Trophy
Winners
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Other awards made on the night were
:- Best specimen by a lady Shelia Andrews (Roving Rods SAC)
with a Small Eyed Ray of 10-12-8. Best Flatfish went to
Dennis Retter (Honiton SAC) with a Sole of 3-1-0. Best Bass
went to Andy Plant (Stonehouse SAC) with a fish of 11-5-0.
Best Conger went to Luke Stewart (Teignmouth SAS) with a Conger
of 69-6-0. Best Bream went to Clive Leythorne (T and B ASA)
with a fish from the shore of 3-8-8.
On the night there was a special
award made to Barrie Nockolds, Barrie had been on the
Wyvern Division for many years and had helped so much for anglers
over the years. Barrie was presented with a special award
from the NFSA and the Wyvern Division.
On the evening the Division also
announced that they would be pushing a new venture in 2008 , it
would be called the ‘Take Five’ Initiative and it is
aimed at getting everyone to help, picking up litter around the
beaches and fishing spots. It was also announced that dates
would be released soon for people to take part in a beach
clean.
At the end of
the night everyone enjoyed a superb free buffet put on by the
Wyvern Division.
Last updated on: Sunday, 20th January 2008
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20lb Thornback Ray Caught from Shore
It has been reported that a 20lb 8oz Thornback Ray
was caught from shore on Friday night (25th January 2008) by a
Teignmouth member in the region of East Portlemouth
near Salcombe,these reports are still to be confirmed. More
info will be posted as soon as possible. The current British Record
for this species from shore stands at 21-12-0 caught in
Scotland.
Monday 28th January
2008...
IT HAS NOW BEEN
CONFIRMED THAT - The massive ray weighed in at 20.8.0,
just 1.4.0 short of the British shore record; it
was caught by Martin Cockran a member of the Teignmouth Sea
Angling Society. Martin was fishing with other
Teignmouth club members in the Salcombe Estuary for thornbacks
through the night when the ray grabbed his bait in the early hours
of Saturday morning around 2am.
At first when weighing it
was thought to be over the British record but when the ray was
officially weighed in, there was a slight disappointment when
it was realised it was just short of the British record. It
is a new Teignmouth club and, a new Wyvern Division record.
The bait used was peeler crab. The ray only looked small but it was
very thick,still an excellent fish from shore.
It is the time of the year
the big thornbacks move inshore and into the rivers to
breed.
Last updated on: Sunday, 27th January 2008
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Paignton Weather Forecast
Mon
Mostly Clear |
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Humidity: 75
Visibility: m
Wind: 210o 9mph
Pressure: 29.54in
Pressure Rising
Low: 40oF
High: 56oF
Sunrise: 6:29 am
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High: 55oF
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