Mullet Murder in the Isle of Man


As suggested , thought i should highlight this in this section.

Would there be support on here if we put together a constructive(!) response to IOM Department of Agriculture and Department of Tourism?

Thanks

Kevin

Yes, I'll give this my support and I'm sure others will too.

Let us know how.

Regards,

Dave.

Ditto here too. I posted about this on another well know sea fishing forum. There seems to be a lot of commercial, semi commercia guys on there. Basically they were taking the p1ss. Don't get me wrong, I took a couple of Bass for the bbq last year and I do eat fish, but 99.9% of my fish are carefully returned. This Though is a different matter, wholesale slaughter of fish which has hardly any market value and so I've heard is akin to eating cotton wool laced with needles. I left messages on Henry Gilbey and Matt Hayes' website earlier, as like me they are both Mullet nuts! They either reply or they don't. Henry is a member of the forum I was on about, so maybe he may pick up on it there.
Cheers Dave

Sickens me to the very pit of my stomach, as it should any angler. i shall spread the word as far as i can and will do support any measures you manx boys wish to take.
yours in sport
Scotty

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i was walking far from home, where the names are not burned along the wall, saw a building, high as heaven, but the door was so small

Thanks chaps

I think the best way to approach this would be for me draft a response which could be sent to our local Dept of Fisheries, including the MHK s (our equivalent of MPs ).

I am aware that other forums have been hot with discussions adressing both sides of the arguments.

From my perspective , I will try and approach this with a balanced view and not let me raw emotions say something which we might regret.

From my general enquiries , it seems highly likely that these fish were gather for spawning but these is a distinct lack of scientific data on Thick Lipped Grey Mullet. The spawning aspect is obviously important in making a case for protection ( I would like DAFF to consider a closed period).

Does anyone have any solid information which you could share with us ?

Thanks

Kevin

I'll start researching. Also going to a university some time next week, will ask around there, must be a marine biologist kickin about. Ill post any findings, new teritory for me, dont know much about saltwater angling, but this has angered me.

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i was walking far from home, where the names are not burned along the wall, saw a building, high as heaven, but the door was so small

I think Mike Ladle might be the chap to contact with regard to the spawning habits of the Mullet. He's a Mullet/Bass fanatic and I think I'm right in saying, a Proffesor of Marine Biology or something like that. He has a blog I think, I'll make some enquiries.
Cheers Dave

Thick-lipped grey mullet Chelon labrosus spawn at this time of year.
http://www.thenationalmulletclub.org/mcpsept06v3.pdf

Despite what the National Mullet Club say; I think the Manx goverment will, to their shame, declare this sort of catch to be "sustainable".

If the photographic evidence exists I think it would be better to submit this; eg. registration numbers etc. to the Manx taxation authoritie. We are talking tens of thousand pounds worth here.

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Save the softmouth trout

I have emailed Henry Gilbey, Matt Hayes and Dr Mike Ladle, all, myself included, confirmed Mullet nuts. I think, I'm right in saying that Mike Ladle is a Dr of Marine Biology or something like that, choose what, hes a clever lad. He's the author of Operation Sea Angler, amongst other things and what he don't know about Mullet and Bass fishing aint worth knowing. Anyway, as I've said I emailed them and at least its better than sitting on my fat ass doing nowt.

I'll keep you posted if I hear owt.

Cheers Dave

Hi, below is a transcript of the reply I received from Mike Ladle. I've not heard from Gilbey or Hayes yet.
Cheers Dave

Hi David,

Thanks for the email. I'm afraid that the IoM is not alone in having this problem. Huge shoals of mullet gather around Portland -Weymouth, near my home in Dorset, in winter and they suffer the same fate as you describe. There seems to be no way to stop it even though the fish are worth very little as food and most of the catches must be wasted. It is a tragic business and I guess that the National Mullet Club must be concerned, so it may be worth telling Dave Rigden DavRigden@aol.com et. al. about your concerns (they may already know I suppose).

Very little is known about mullet spawning behaviour. As far as I am aware 'our' south of England fish may spawn off the Channel Islands in the spring so possibly these huge, vulnerable, shoals of fish are pre-spawning aggregations.

When I was a kid I used to holiday in Castletown, Isle of Man and I still recall with affection the massive grey mullet that fed on brewery waste in the harbour there. I guess that we can just keep nagging away at the authorities and hope that one day common sense will prevail and save these wonderful 'sport' fish from being destroyed in the name of greed.

Sorry I can't be more positive. Regards,

Mike