9 replies to this topic

[johntar tt10]

The Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust (SIFT) a Scottish charity founded 2011 in Edinburgh by Lawyer, Bob Younger, is starting a project headed by Alex Watson Cook (ex Chair of the Clyde IFG) to create a Static Gear Reserve over a substantial area of the Firth of Clyde.

The main aim is to propose to and lobby the Scottish Goverment for a Reintroduction of a prohibition on the use of all mobile gear within 3 nautical miles of the shore from within a line drawn from Corsewall Point in Galloway to The Mull of Kintyre to create such a Reserve.

SIFT proposes to apply for a Regulating Order (usual duration can be anything from 5 to 50 years) which would be run by Clyde Creel Fishermen for the benefit of Clyde Creel Fishermen.

SIFT also propose a limit on licences within the Reserve, 60 was mentioned, priority in allocation of the licences is to be given to existing licenced creel fishers with any extra allocated by ballot with the lucky holders paying an annual licence fee also an additional Levy to be imposed to finance the management of the Fishery.

Proposed Species to be included in the proposed Regulating Order are Nethrops, Lobster, Crab, Razor Fish, Scallops, Whelks and Velvet Crabs.

[sylvestor]

Every trawler that has a licence is entitled to fish creels, get your orders in Now, 100 trawlers in the Clyde 1500 creels each >>>>>> a lot of creels.

[Adoration II]

800 ordered starting 1st of september double hauling them never thought id see the day but needs must

[maddog]

not if sift get there way johnny if they get a regulating order they will be able to decide how many boats can fish in the regulated area .  but it is great that the major stakeholders in the clyde dont seem as yet to be consulted and also have done as much as any fishermen round the country for conservation ie wk end ban crz and of course the obligatory square mesh panels.AS THE OLD SAYING GOES THERES FISHERMEN AND THERS SOME THAT ARE AT IT  AND ITS THE ONES THAT ARE AT IT THAT ARE THE INSTIGATORS

[johntar tt10]

Johnny, Look to Shetland to see how a Regulating Order discriminates against genuine fishermen who held licences and fished the area prior to the Order and then the jiggery pokery in issuing licences for the regulated area.
Spoke to the ex-owner of Shetland boat, now a local boat here in Tarbert, he was refused a licence to fish a stones throw from his house.

[Adoration II]

if there was more fisherman that showed more intrest instead of sitting on there buts way there mouth shut wee might not be in this mess

[Jammy]

sensible comment from you rikki shame there is not more men thinking on doing something abot this

[Adoration II]

i can be sensible sum times james when it comes to my lively hood me and young maddog have a few years in us left yet as plenty other young fishermen and if wee dont all club together there will be no future for us

[sorcha]

What is the Clyde Fishermans Association doing about this? The majority of jobs /established fishing families (such as are left !) are mainly in trawling . It cant be right that a few relative late comers can be allowed to carve up the clyde for themselves with a closed shop licensing system . This doesnt help new blood into industry.
There has to be room for both :> all trawlers forced onto creels would be a disaster :> creels can fish 365 days a year! :> how many would a 350hp twin rigger need to be viable? :> because its not as if these boats will easily sell if their owners want to go full time creeling in more suitable boats.
Look at whats happened at inner sound /torridonclosed area  :> creelers fished it out so want to expand it! They got smart new boats for a few years then a lot of them for sale soon after!
Without bringing the wrath of the Gods (etc!) doon on me what about partial closures within one/two/three mile in selected /agreed areas?
The status quo has depleted fish stocks -but surely a broad brush approach ( blanket 3mile which as you now means the rivers and lochs and most of Kilb sound!)isnt the answer?  I await response from "informed sources"!

[Adoration II]

it will take more as the cfa to sort this mess out it needs every fishermans voice you can see bits in river and up loch fyne where it was all number 1s afore and now your lucky to get a box for your day surely if wee all clubd together and got publicity or atleast put all our voices and ideas together wee can solve this at the end off the day wee are fishermen the ones that have brought all this crap into our industry have only been at sea a few years and dont no there ass from there elbo