Ireland spearing 2008

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by baldyfish

we both broke our personal best depths. I managed a 17.9m and donnachad did a 19m

Well done on some good dives. I hardly need say it but be careful though

[baldyfish]

Cheers dave. sorry we missed you. we were watching eachother all the time and diving down to cover eachother on ascents in case of SWBO's.
I never go that deep alone and its good to have denis there as he is trust worthy.

[fcallagy]

What I intend to send to my three MEPs. Anything I should omit I don't want to add anything else as it's long enough already and I'm afraid it won't get read otherwise.



Dear Sir and Madam,

It has been brought to my attention that there is a proposed change to the Technical Conservation Regulations as part of a current consultation. The change is part of Article 12 of the Tech Con review document:

Article 12
Destructive fishing practices

The catching, retention on board, transhipment, storage, landing, sale, display or offer for sale of marine organisms caught using methods incorporating the use of explosives, poisonous or stupefying substances, electric current or any kind of projectile shall be prohibited.

This is a significant change from the current legislation which is Article 31 of Council Regulation 850/98 which permits spear fishing but prohibits the sale of fish caught using a projectile:

Article 31
Unconventional fishing methods

1. The catching of marine organisms using methods incorporation the use of explosives, poisonous or stupefying substances or electric current shall be prohibited.

2. The sale, display or offer for sale of marine organisms caught using methods incorporating the use of any kind of projectile shall be prohibited.

I would like to object most strongly to the inclusion of spearfishing (the passage I highlight above ‘any kind of projectile’) as part of this proposed ban. Spearfishing is the only form of fishing which is entirely selective in the capture of fish and when compared to other fishing methods has a negligible impact on fish stocks and zero by-catch. We spearfishermen only take fish for our own consumption, and I don’t understand the logic of including another restriction on our human rights to catch fish when there are no ill effects either on the fishery or the local environment.

The benefits in my opinion are below.
Spearfishing is highly selective, for species and size; low volume; negligible impact. Requires a relatively high level of skill and physical activity (while our country struggles against increasing obesity), and favourable weather and water conditions. Relatively low cost of participation means participation is across socio-economic and age groups. Enables and encourages a healthy diet, low in fat but rich in Omega-3 fatty acids - good for the heart, health and brain. It encourages a greater knowledge and appreciation of the marine environment and coastal areas.

There is also huge potential for tourist activity with recreational spearfishing. Last year I met two fishermen from Greece who came to spearfish in Sligo and Donegal. They stayed in Ireland for one week staying in bed and breakfast and eating out every night. They contributed greatly to the tourist industry in Ireland. Any fish caught were eaten. Spearfishermen do not shoot just for sport usually only for the dinner table and it is a skill to be able to sneak up on fish. The divers hold their breath while diving down to 5 or 10 metres on average, no scuba diving tanks are allowed as that is illegal and rightly so in the opinion of most European spearfishermen.



Please can you tell me how I can keep abreast of developments in this consultation.

[baldyfish]

nicely written feargus. that looks like a winner.

[fcallagy]

I can't take any credit Johnny its a hybrid of cut and past from the UK thread on the same subject. But we should try and push the tourist end of it to our MEPs as its a big industry in Ireland and spearing could be a part of it.

[Old Man Dave]

Nice letter, well written and well put. However, don't wish to nit pick but unless the law is different in Ireland then "no scuba diving tanks are allowed as that is illegal" is incorrect. It is not illegal in the UK. Definitely do not want to start stir up the scuba/freediving arguement as this will only divide and weaken our case but it's best not to include factually incorrect statements when argueing your case. It is correct to say that scuba spearing is banned in say France and Spain but think it's best not to mention scuba at all as this will only confuse the issue.

Dave

[fcallagy]

Hi Dave I,m 99% sure its illegal here but i think if its not mentioned they may not know that we hold our breath while spearing.

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by fcallagy

Hi Dave I,m 99% sure its illegal here but i think if its not mentioned they may not know that we hold our breath while spearing.

Hi Feargus, I'm 99% sure it's not illegal here.They never banned breathold spearfishing as it just lost its popularity and scuba wasn't banned since spearfishers just didn't do it. It wasn't considered "sporting".

[KWM]

Hi, just wanted to say thanks for all the effort you are taking to object to new EU regulations.

So far we have been in contact with associations/spearo's in Denmark, Spain, France, Portugal and and yourselves. With support from all over the Med.

thanks Kev

[foxfish]

Thanks for your effort too Kev!

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by foxfish

Thanks for your effort too Kev!

Ditto from me. Getting support from those outside the ban area is a particularly good idea.

[danas]

Respect -
We all must be sign on this petition . it will make more powerful.

[sunfish]

I went to a local cove this morning to get wet before the bad weather came. If there's a world shortage of jellyfish, I know where they are.
Vis was poor and I got fed up and soon came out.

[fcallagy]

Was out yesterday morning but turned the boat around as was way too rough but went from the shore this morning to a sheltered cove on the opposite side. it involves a bit of climbing down to but was worth it sea was very calm on this side and vis was pretty good at about 4m not a huge pile of fish life but did see a good few mullet on the way back in about 2m. Not very deep as max depth was about 9m but tide was falling. was hoping to et some depth training in but did a few hangs at depth as well so that should help a bit.

[donnachad]

Went to lough ine again today due to bad weather, stopped off near clonakilty on the way back. I wanted to check out a spot I found last week. A narrow channel well sheltered from the swell. Vis was between 1 and 2 metres. I had one decent bass tear off but got a second, a 5 pounder