Sorry I haven't been that on the ball with this - new baby and sleepless nights!
I've updated the front page, is that looking OK or do would you prefer it positioned elsewhere/different size etc?
Clicking it opens a new window to sign the petition
Well Done Oli
I was the 11,577th to sign
Well done Oli you did it before you were even asked to <img src="/emoticons/default_smile.png" alt=":)" data-emoticon="1" srcset="/emoticons/smile@2x.png 2x" width="20" height="20">
Signed, now on 12,763
13306 30 seconds ago
Nigel H will be talking about Bass on Countryfile in two weeks sunday
PJ
The BBC Countryfile programme is on Sunday 24th
NigelH
Thanks Nigel, look forward to seeing that.
In a nutshell what are the current rules regarding Bass landings?
Charlie
Thanks Nigel, look forward to seeing that.
In a nutshell what are the current rules regarding Bass landings?
Charlie
I was wondering the same.
Someone I was talking to said they were going Bass fishing, I told them you can't and their reply was, "it hasn't been ratified yet, so has no legal standing".
I've looked at the SIFCA site and can't find anything and there doesn't appear to be a search facility.
So what is the situation?
There is no restriction in Bass fishing but once the marine bill has been published by the MMO, you can not retain/land any Bass for six months.
Bass fishing in itself there is no restriction, as long as it is catch and release.
If you want to read more see here http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00745/SN00745.pdf
Below is taken from the above briefing paper as published by House of Commons Library January 2016
For recreational fisheries:
In ICES Areas IVb, IVc, VIIa, VIId, VIIe, VIIf, VIIg, VIIh
• from 1st January to 30th June 2016 catch and release only permitted
• from 1st July to 31st December 2016 one bass per fisherman per day
In ICES areas VIIj and VIIk
• from 1st January to 31st December 2016 one bass per fisherman per day
Dave
The question is, "Is it enforceable"? That is a "Briefing Paper", which means it's not yet law.
We're after the definitive answer.
As the MMO have not signed off the agreement yet it is not enforceable.
As Charlie said at the meeting, should anglers follow the spirit of the new regulations before it is signed off?
First get out to sea, second find a sizeable Bass
If you can get both to coincide at the same time then it's down to your decision to keep or return the fish.
How the new regulations are going to be published and passed onto to the angling fraternity will be a major exercise in itself, how are you going to advise nearly 1 million RSA's in the UK?
Not everyone belongs to a club, follows forums or even has internet access, reads fishing related magazines or let alone buys a paper.
I am at the PDSAA meeting on Thursday and normally the Southern IFCA people attend these meetings so I am sure this question will be raised, if not I will ask the question and report back.
Dave
I don't intend fishing for or keeping a bass.
My question was prompted by someone (not a member) saying he was going bass fishing, I said he couldn't keep any, he said he could keep a couple and there was nothing to stop him.
At the moment it appears he was correct and I was wrong.
The petition has failed. Well, there's a surprise then! Apparently, we've all got it wrong and everything is o/k. Phew, that's a relief.