Whiting Plan

[davem2005]

Just received this letter from the NSFC regarding whiting.

Issued by the Marine And Fisheries Agency

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WHITING PLAN FOR THE NORTH EAST INSHORE FLEET

An emergency plan to help hard-hit fishermen on the North East and Yorkshire coasts was announced today (Thurs Sept 6th) by the marine and fisheries agency

A scheme which allows vessels of under 10 Metres in length to lease quota has been included to include North Sea whiting.

It will mean around 150 boats on the NE coast can access new quota above what they may under their monthly catch limits.

The price to lease North Sea whiting quota from producer organisations is around £75 per tonne and the current market price on landings of whiting is around £700 per tonne.

The emergency measure was agreed by the UK Fisheries Administrations in recognition of the exceptional pressures faced by the inshore fleet in Yorkshire and the NE.

The MFA said today (thurs) that Fisheries Administrations will continue to seek more quota for the under 10 metre fleets by domestic and international swaps and through quota donations under the economic link license condition.

Earlier this summer the North Sea cod fishery was closed to the under 10 metre fleet because fishermen had caught their allocation of cod quota.

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I'm not really sure how this will affect our sport but if you fail to catch whiting this winter you know you can always go to the fish quay and buy some.

Cheers
Dave.

[mick dunn]

Dave i always classed whiting as the poor relation of the cod family.

Our fishmonger will not even sell it.

Suppose in industry it is used to fill fishcakes etc.

Mick.

[davem2005]

Never eaten it so I cant comment on the taste but I know it is used in fishcakes/fingers.

In the above example it is plainly being used to fill bank balances.

[mark]

I don't mind it. A decent sized whiting, well seasoned, is quite canny. I often bung a few in the smoker, salted and hot smoked they're lovely

mind you, I do have a tendency to eat anything that swims my way

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

Yes they're not bad eating ,usually put them in fishcakes ,although I can't remember the last one I kept ,remember getting 19 one night on Blyth beach and getting a real kick out of watching each one swim away, sad to have counted them I know but it was part of the fun .
Thanks for the info Dave .

[davem2005]

Excuse my ignorance on this as I am not a shore angler.

Do the whiting show in numbers during winter on the shore?

Are they a banker species for shore angers?

Are they a prominant species in winter match results?

Reason I ask is this is the first time that these special permissions have been utilised in our region and if anyone thinks this could be a problem to shore catches over the winter or even early next year I will raise this at the next meeting. If the extra pressure on whiting will affect our fishing in any way I will make an official comment at the next meeting of the NSFC.

Personally as a boat angler I think they are a nuisance but they did directly cause me to catch my first skate which then set me on a course to help others catch more fish...so in some ways the species has fond memories...even if I hate it when I catch one.

So come on shore guys help me out...how important is the whiting to enjoying your fishing experience?

Post here or send a pm if you prefer.

Cheers
Dave

[mick dunn]

Last season i remember an angler telling me why there was so many whiting fish. Its down to the over fishing of Cod. These are one of the main predators for whiting.

I used to take 3-4 home and boil them up to get the meat off for fish cakes.

The cakes tasted lovely but there is a lot of work involved (and odours).

Now i can,t be bothered but if i get some on Sat will probably make some.

Mick.

[northeast1]

Yer whiting have been on our shores in great numbers for a few years now. Some If you target them, 20-30-40 in a few hours fishing is not uncommon.

Sandy or muddy areas seem to hold the most of them and most are between 6oz and 1lb.

As Mick said, less cod more whiting,more pipe fish and just about anything else that they used to feed on that do get get used by as much.

Only area on the east coast i have caught whiting in good numbers over the 2lb mark was from Hendon, but that i feel is because of the waste pipe there,they are all full up on Friday nights curry

[Mogthemackem]

It will defo have an effect on our fishing as most cod you'll pull in will have whiting bones inside it. Natural bait and decent sport for beginners or those who just want a nice chilled fishing session