The bass should be shoaling up to spawn very soon. So its time for the offshore fleet to prepair their nets , pair up and scoop up hundreds of tons of European Bass in the English Channel and the breeding grounds NW of Trevose Head .

I found a website that enables you to zoom in on the fleet and watch the cross the ground GPS tracks. The Trawlers are Purple , its amazing how many are French. Details on my blog



Makes grim viewing at times , there were several trawlers working close together in front of Padstow a few days ago

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Trawlers have almost destroyed cod stocks and stocks of other fish such as salmon and sea trout soon to be the Bass wish they would be banned from working the waters and look for other ways to give fish to the market place although the trawler men only care about cash made, funny how other countries have found a way to help both sides of the coin to survive yet we are owned by stupid European rules and rights

MLS is a side show compared to this. Pair trawling targets breeding fish and has an immediate and direct impact on stocks. It would be so easy to stop this and police it to compared to other fishing methods.
Oz, post this on the BASS forum.

Will do John

There are positive things happening around Europe , Its a case of taking small chinks in the armour one at a time . I came back from France last week inspired by the whole bassfishing culture , its HUGE !!!!

Guides are charging 1000 Euros fo a bass charter for 5 guys , one fish each for the pot is the limit and 30-40 % fish 100 % catch and release, the guide I hope to fish with this summers fills his charters 150 days per year.

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Stop ordering bass at the restaurant.

PS: on the website the purple indicators are labelled "yachts and others" but agree most of these seem to be "fishing". Of course, this ignores all craft not deploying AIS.

"The compulsory carriage requirements for AIS are covered in the SOLAS V regulations under which compulsory carriage of AIS is limited to "all ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages and cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and passenger ships irrespective of size". There is no requirement for small commercial vessels or cruising yachts to carry AIS, however should they chose to do so they should be fitted with an AIS B transponder or receiver." RYA

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Using a looper and a top makes for a much better furled leader!

If you click on the boats on the screen you get the name - home port - photo of the vessel

Correct there are plenty of other fishing boats out there right now pair trawling bass .

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