Topetastic

[sarabande]

so that justifies sport fishing ?

The death of excess fish for quota reasons is something that Eurocrats should have on their consciences. I've read somewhere that such practice is inimical to true professional fisherman, as it has detrimental effects on the life cycle of breeding stock.

For the record, I was born in Grimsby to four preceding generations of East Cost and Icelandic fishermen. Look at the Fish Dock clock tower for a bit of family history. . I support proper professional and recreational fishing. I cannot support the irrational cruelty that masquerades uncomfortably under the name of sport fishing.


EDIT

a bit of extra background for NB and others.

http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-trouttrauma.html

 

[David of Essex]

Sarabande.
You are entitled to your opinions, but I think you could spoil a post by somebody that has been excited enough to post on this forum which I have found very good.
As a suggestion, if you fill that strong against sport fishing, start a new topic and argue your point.
David

 

[sarabande]

DoE

read the posts please. I am not, not, not against fishing. That is fishing to kill and eat what you catch. I am against catching fish for a 'fight' and then manhandling them, in order to put them back again.

If the OP wants to enthuse about a lovely day out on a boat for recreational fishing - for which I have every empathy - then let him eulogise and get feedback posts from others. To me sport fishing is treatment of sentient animals in a way which is morally unjustifiable.

 

[AndieMac]

Whether you are going out fishing to catch a specific type for the dinner table or not, the law of averages is going to result in you catching and releasing a number of either, under-sized or wrong species examples.

The creatures will be retrieved to the surface, un-hooked and released. During this process there will be no doubt plenty of energetic thrashing about by the yet to be identified fish, as it makes it way to the boat.

Just by casting a line into the water you are potentially causing grief to a number of sea creatures, regardless of your intention.

It seems to me a curious moral/ethical arguement declaring sport fishing any worse than any other form.

Personally I don't sport-fish (could be tempted), often fish to eat, as well as being staunchly anti-whaling, but as a confused hypocrit, hope the recreational fishers enjoy their season ahead and will, as always look forward to any reports and photographic evidence .

 

[Bajansailor]

Not taking sides, just offering some observations of the fishing practices here.

We have commercial long-liners, who pretty much go after everything, but especially tuna and bill fish, including swordfish and marlin. I do not think we have any rules about minimum size of fish caught on longlines, hence most of what is caught is kept, if it is edible.

Then we also have the sports fishermen, who go out fishing in tournaments that are sponsored, with some good prizes at stake. They are hoping to catch marlin, but will happily also catch wahoo and tuna. The marlin (and other bill fish) are tagged and released, although they would probably keep it if it was a record weight.
It is admirable that the sportsfishermen should release their marlin; however that same marlin that is released will then quite possibly get caught on a long line hook soon after - and then he definitely won't be released!

 

[Philiz]

sorry, most acronyms I know but WAFI ?

Wind assisted fu**ing idiot.

Not a term I use I hasten to add, but I have heard it.

 

[Nautibusiness]

Wind assisted fu**ing idiot.

Not a term I use I hasten to add, but I have heard it.

Is that what is stands for?
I'm shocked!

I thought it stood for...
errr...
hmmm...
errrm...

No, don't know what I thought it stood for.

 

[Philiz]

Is that what is stands for?
I'm shocked!

Yep, I think someone said you might not like it. Sorry to offend but it's a term a friend of mine uses, and he's a raggie!

 

[Nautibusiness]

Yep, I think someone said you might not like it. Sorry to offend but it's a term a friend of mine uses, and he's a raggie!

Some of my best friends are Raggies and they refer to themselves by the same term so I think it's probably only slightly offensive to those who have a sense of humour.

 

[AndieMac]

Tom.... I did notice someone mentioned you travelled to Alderney (CIs'?) in a 7 metre boat. What sort of miles are we talking about for the return voyage?
Seems a reasonable achievement in itself.

I liken travelling at sea in a small boat, to fishing for big fish with light tackle, challenging but rewarding.

 

[Nautibusiness]

Tom.... I did notice someone mentioned you travelled to Alderney (CIs'?) in a 7 metre boat. What sort of miles are we talking about for the return voyage?
Seems a reasonable achievement in itself.

I liken travelling at sea in a small boat, to fishing for big fish with light tackle, challenging but rewarding.

It's no biggie really.

About 62nm each way.
Most of our general fishing out of Poole is done over the mid channel wrecks, banks and reefs and this is usually between 20 and 40nm from home.

I started going across to Alderney in 2005 when I first got the boat. At that time I took the giggling (UK) TV fisherman John Wilson and angling journalist Dave Lewis over. The first was for a piece in his current book and the second for a feature on small boats travelling fairly long distances in safety.
The journey home was interesting with a NE6 making the Swinge and first 10 miles of the crossing rather lively.

I go across once or twice most years. It's a beautiful location. The fishing can be hit and miss, but it's about more than the fishing.

My local fishing club, http://www.pbsbac.co.uk , previously travelled to Alderney annually with various charter fishing boats.
In 2007 the usual trip took place with my good mate, Chris Caines (skipper of Tiger Lily from Weymouth) taking them across. I headed over in my boat and was regularly fishing within shouting distance. I think they slightly envied us for doing our own thing and for the satisfaction in the achievement of both the helming and the fishing.
So, in 2008 the first flotilla took place with four or five boats heading over together.
Same in 2009.
This year we were due to go on May 6th and there were 12 of us from 21' to 30'. Unfortunately the weather put pay to that trip, but we still managed 6 heading across on 20th May.
The beauty of the flotilla is that the more inexperienced crews can buddy up with the boats that spend their time offshore. The exciting part for them is that not only to they get their first channel crossing under their belt, but offshore tends to be where the big fish are and so nearly everyone of the "newbies" got new personal best catches.

The island of Alderney survives on tourism of various sorts.
The anglers bring a lot of revenue to the island with many staying in B&B's, all paying harbour dues, all eating out and using taxis etc.

We all win.

Tom

 

[AndieMac]

We do a very similar thing down here Tom with a trailer-boat club, out to the islands to the north.
I notice that some on the forum don't like to travel in company, but I enjoy the constant 'goings on' a group provides.
Keeping the herd together and moving forwards can provide challenges in itself, but at the end of the day, a good time had by all.

I'm sure there may be some local boater/fisher-folk who would join your club and tag along, sounds like a lot of fun...