Tweet
Hiya,
Posted on behalf of Ian burret to anyone that fishes in Scotland
Hi All
Before we can get Sharks recognized as a recreational species, in Scotland, we need to get RSA recreational sea anglers accepted as stakeholders in marine decisions. Even if you live in England but fish in Scotland, it is important you respond to this email.
There are a series of SIFAG stakeholder meetings starting in Scotland very soon and unfortunately there will be no direct representation by any sea angling bodies.
Ross Finnie is also stalling on allowing an economic survey on Scottish sea anglers
I therefore urge you to write an email to the fisheries minister Mr. Ross Finnie asking him to invite a SACN representative to the meetings. and to sanction the economic survey.
If you live in Scotland, please copy the email to your local MSP and MP asking for their support. Recent letters back from MP’s have been very supportive and shown that many understand that, anglers er voters have a significant part to play. The more we can get onboard the better it will be.
This is urgent. The email can be as brief as you wish to make it.
Here is my email to Mr Finnie, Ross.Finnie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk which may give you some ideas.
Dear Mr Finnie
It has come to my attention through the sea angling press that you are about to embark upon a consultation namely the SIFAG stakeholder meetings with regard to changes in the Marine legalities.
I am the Scottish regional co-ordinator for the “Sea Anglers Conservation Network SACN and so would like to register our interest as a stakeholder in the public resource of our sea fish and how they are managed for sustainable use.
Defra are currently holding consultation workshops for the mew marine bill and three different angling groups are involved with the discussions. The SACN are one of these.
It would spoil all the good work achieved down there if certain species like the Tope and Mullet flourished in England and Wales but were allowed to be slaughtered here in Scotland.
I am concerned that too much emphasis is given to commercial exploitation of Scotland’s resources, . Fish stocks are treated as if their only function is to support the needs of the commercial fishing industry and only environmental considerations can be taken into account.
Fortunately many of the fish species of value to the Recreational Sea Fishery, are those that are of little commercial interest; Wrasse, Mullet, Tope and other small sharks, Flounder etc.
However, populations of these species can be devastated locally, when they are taken either as bycatch, or for sale with a minimal value, perhaps as pot bait, or taken when still quite small so that few larger specimens are available to Recreational Sea Anglers
A healthy local population of big fish of certain species, providing many livelihoods for angling charter skippers, tackle shops, bait suppliers and many others whose livelihoods depend upon servicing the needs of Recreational Sea Anglers, and contributing significantly to a coastal rural economy can be destroyed for minimal value by the commercial sector.
But when it is agreed that policies that favour such a ‘Best Value’ return make good sense, both socially and economically, it is pointed out to us that there is no provision within the existing legislation to favour the interests of one sector over another, even when this does make perfect sense.
More fish means more income and more jobs for Scotland
I would regard the addressing of this legislative problem as being one of the most important benefits that could come out of a marine review and I would respectfully ask you to ensure that proposals for a Marine strategy will address this important point.
Scotland is behind in the promotion of sea angling. It is odd that the Scottish Executive appears to be bucking the trend when administrations in many countries around the world are recognising and developing the value of sea angling. Can Scotland be so different from Ireland, Wales, Mexico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Croatia, Denmark, USA, Australia, Namibia, New Zealand and South Africa to name a few?
I am writing to ask you to consider the introduction of an economic survey on Scotland’s sea anglers and inviting a representative from the SACN to the SIFAG meetings.
Yours faithfully
Ian Burrett
Below are a few pointers that may help
It is important that anglers ask a question in their letter, otherwise the MP will simply read it and file it, a question has to be answered. (\"Will you be able to ...............\")
The total value of the White fish landed commercially last year was approx £50 million Sea anglers spent £1.3 Billion. These are government figures.
Sea angling creates many jobs particularly in rural communities. I.e. angling charter skippers, tackle shops, bait suppliers hotels garages and many others whose livelihoods depend upon servicing the needs
The fish belong to the people of Scotland not just commercials.
Use the phrase “Best value” Some species are best left in the sea for anglers rather than as pot bait. I.e. Best value for Scotland PLC as more fish means more tourists/anglers, therefore more income and more jobs for Scotland.
Please don’t forget to add, you feel there should be some representation on the SIFAG talks
Please respond, this is important.
Cheers Ian
SACN regional co-ordinator for Scotland
Posted on behalf of Ian burret to anyone that fishes in Scotland
Hi All
Before we can get Sharks recognized as a recreational species, in Scotland, we need to get RSA recreational sea anglers accepted as stakeholders in marine decisions. Even if you live in England but fish in Scotland, it is important you respond to this email.
There are a series of SIFAG stakeholder meetings starting in Scotland very soon and unfortunately there will be no direct representation by any sea angling bodies.
Ross Finnie is also stalling on allowing an economic survey on Scottish sea anglers
I therefore urge you to write an email to the fisheries minister Mr. Ross Finnie asking him to invite a SACN representative to the meetings. and to sanction the economic survey.
If you live in Scotland, please copy the email to your local MSP and MP asking for their support. Recent letters back from MP’s have been very supportive and shown that many understand that, anglers er voters have a significant part to play. The more we can get onboard the better it will be.
This is urgent. The email can be as brief as you wish to make it.
Here is my email to Mr Finnie, Ross.Finnie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk which may give you some ideas.
Dear Mr Finnie
It has come to my attention through the sea angling press that you are about to embark upon a consultation namely the SIFAG stakeholder meetings with regard to changes in the Marine legalities.
I am the Scottish regional co-ordinator for the “Sea Anglers Conservation Network SACN and so would like to register our interest as a stakeholder in the public resource of our sea fish and how they are managed for sustainable use.
Defra are currently holding consultation workshops for the mew marine bill and three different angling groups are involved with the discussions. The SACN are one of these.
It would spoil all the good work achieved down there if certain species like the Tope and Mullet flourished in England and Wales but were allowed to be slaughtered here in Scotland.
I am concerned that too much emphasis is given to commercial exploitation of Scotland’s resources, . Fish stocks are treated as if their only function is to support the needs of the commercial fishing industry and only environmental considerations can be taken into account.
Fortunately many of the fish species of value to the Recreational Sea Fishery, are those that are of little commercial interest; Wrasse, Mullet, Tope and other small sharks, Flounder etc.
However, populations of these species can be devastated locally, when they are taken either as bycatch, or for sale with a minimal value, perhaps as pot bait, or taken when still quite small so that few larger specimens are available to Recreational Sea Anglers
A healthy local population of big fish of certain species, providing many livelihoods for angling charter skippers, tackle shops, bait suppliers and many others whose livelihoods depend upon servicing the needs of Recreational Sea Anglers, and contributing significantly to a coastal rural economy can be destroyed for minimal value by the commercial sector.
But when it is agreed that policies that favour such a ‘Best Value’ return make good sense, both socially and economically, it is pointed out to us that there is no provision within the existing legislation to favour the interests of one sector over another, even when this does make perfect sense.
More fish means more income and more jobs for Scotland
I would regard the addressing of this legislative problem as being one of the most important benefits that could come out of a marine review and I would respectfully ask you to ensure that proposals for a Marine strategy will address this important point.
Scotland is behind in the promotion of sea angling. It is odd that the Scottish Executive appears to be bucking the trend when administrations in many countries around the world are recognising and developing the value of sea angling. Can Scotland be so different from Ireland, Wales, Mexico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Croatia, Denmark, USA, Australia, Namibia, New Zealand and South Africa to name a few?
I am writing to ask you to consider the introduction of an economic survey on Scotland’s sea anglers and inviting a representative from the SACN to the SIFAG meetings.
Yours faithfully
Ian Burrett
Below are a few pointers that may help
It is important that anglers ask a question in their letter, otherwise the MP will simply read it and file it, a question has to be answered. (\"Will you be able to ...............\")
The total value of the White fish landed commercially last year was approx £50 million Sea anglers spent £1.3 Billion. These are government figures.
Sea angling creates many jobs particularly in rural communities. I.e. angling charter skippers, tackle shops, bait suppliers hotels garages and many others whose livelihoods depend upon servicing the needs
The fish belong to the people of Scotland not just commercials.
Use the phrase “Best value” Some species are best left in the sea for anglers rather than as pot bait. I.e. Best value for Scotland PLC as more fish means more tourists/anglers, therefore more income and more jobs for Scotland.
Please don’t forget to add, you feel there should be some representation on the SIFAG talks
Please respond, this is important.
Cheers Ian
SACN regional co-ordinator for Scotland