As well as the new byelaw for rod and line release of Eel there is a phase 2 byelaw creation for commercial trapping.

No scope here for personal input to the consultation but an 'eye opener' and good debating prospect for relative 'issues'.

If you want to know more......we can.......but the main issues that I imediatley see is the fact that as anglers we are going to comply to catch and release......the netsmen, at all life stages, will still have access to a failing fishery and be allowed to continue.....regardless
So take it from there

__________________
Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other

quote=sedgeking;449592]If you want to know more......we can.......but the main issues that I imediatley see is the fact that as anglers we are going to comply to catch and release......the netsmen, at all life stages, will still have access to a failing fishery and be allowed to continue.....regardless
So take it from there [/quote]

There is no doubt that COMMERCIAL fishing for eels has decimated stocks, even up here in Bonnie Scotland. In the eighties and nineties fyke netting (legal and illegal) of all our lochs and reservoirs was carried out en masse, with tanker loads of mature eels being shipped to Europe en masse. This coupled with traditional British methods( both in the catching of mature eels and the returning elvers) has certainly reduced populations
Cannot see how rod and line fishing for eels for the pot has any effect on overall population at all, given that relatively few people would specifically use rod and line for catching eels for the pot anyway!!

as posted on 2nd thread re compulsory catch and release of eels

bert

There is no doubt that COMMERCIAL fishing for eels has decimated stocks, even up here in Bonnie Scotland. In the eighties and nineties fyke netting (legal and illegal) of all our lochs and reservoirs was carried out en masse, with tanker loads of mature eels being shipped to Europe en masse. This coupled with traditional British methods( both in the catching of mature eels and the returning elvers) has certainly reduced populations
Cannot see how rod and line fishing for eels for the pot has any effect on overall population at all, given that relatively few people would specifically use rod and line for catching eels for the pot anyway!!

as posted on 2nd thread re compulsory catch and release of eels

bert [/QUOTE]

Hi aenoon

The compulsory catch and release of Eel will be by rod and line fishermen ONLY and is covered as you say a separate byelaw and please note that this includes our coastline and up to six miles offshore.

Commercial netsmen will only be curtailed from certain 'honeypot' and 'pinch-point' locations.....trawling for Eel will have licensing withdrawn (typically only the Thames HAD these anyway).....it was these type of changes I was volunteering more information on if required.

The point I was making was that with a 95% reduction in European recruitment......the question has to be asked.... why is COMMERCIAL fishing of ALL Eel life stages not stopped completely until stocks recover ?

Your point of rod and line angling having no impact on populous is bogus.....I remember the times when, especially in 'match' fishing both sea and river, where Eel was not classified and they were 'despatched' wholesale....to teach them a lesson for messing up the tackle and time wasting.
I'm not suggesting this attitude has not changed a little

__________________
Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other