GO Angling charters

I think the document is an extremely positive step forward by DEFRA in the hope that we can protect the tope from commercial exploitation and save the species for future generations to marvel at and recreational sea angler’s benefit from the thrill of the catch.

My views are expressed on the following pages. I am available for further comment should this be required and look forward to further documentation on the proposals.

3.1 Explanation of Options

Option 1

To do nothing would be disastrous, and as the reports from the tail end of last year surrounding a possible fishery for tope have suggested a stance we cannot afford to take.

Spur numbers off the Welsh coast are still perilously low in comparison to the late 70’s and early 80’s. In an ideal world the spurs would be left alone to return to the once fertile packs abundant in the area years ago. This however I fear is not the case.

Being large pack fish, continually feeding, it easy to see how commercial long liners can eradicate this particular species from a given area in a very short space of time.

What is particularly alarming and sad is that this will happen around our coast very soon, as with the return of the spurs, we are also witnessing the return of a very large number of vessels turning their attentions to the long lines, some for the first time, and others going back to old ways. This quick ‘grab a few quid’ while we can scenario will sadly all but wipe this fishery from the welsh coast very soon.

This cannot be allowed to happen with tope.

Option 2

I think it is fair to say that option 2 is the preferred way forward for all anglers.

Point 19 Recreational Sea Anglers

With reference to the landing of tope simple clarification is required on the term of ‘landing’ as at present it is slightly ambiguous and open to debate and mis-interpretation by who ever wishes. My thoughts are that the term ‘landing’ is used to describe fish retained aboard a vessel and returned to port with, be it for weighing in competitions or commercially..

Speaking from experience of competitions around Wales and a number I know of in England all tope and smoothound are generally excluded, or taken on the honesty of the skipper or angler and never brought ashore. If this is not the case, then this needs to be brought to the attention of that Nations Federation and acted upon immediately.

The document mentions scientific advice that implies survival rate of tope is likely to be high if the tope is removed from the water, and possibly even higher if the tope is released at the side of the vessel.

My thoughts are that we should be allowed to boat tope and all sharks; this will obviously aid the tagging program, but will also allow for a quick photograph to be taken for the angler concerned. Most anglers this day and age wish to see their fish returned safely, but also like that lasting photographic memory of their catch, I include myself in this, especially if the fish is looking to be a new personal best. If of course it is viewed to be smaller than previous catches, I will un-hook at the side of the boat.

I do not agree with cutting the leader at the side of the vessel unless the hook has sunk deep. Attempts to remove the hook should be made at all times.

Records

Last year aboard My Way we caught a tope of 79lb – 5lb heavier than the then WFSA record. After taking measurements and photographs of the ‘larger than the Welsh record fish’, the tope was returned safely to the water. It was only a few weeks after that I learnt the WFSA had changed the rules and allowed weigh aboard and photographic evidence not only for specimens but now also for record fish. I informed the chap concerned and he has since been awarded the new Welsh Record.

Records though are a contentious issue – If any fish is blatantly over the current record – can this not be claimed even if required to bring ashore? It is only 1 fish, and pushes the boundary further away from the ‘is it / isn’t it’ potential record. It is a hard decision that only the anglers conscience can make under the current British Record list rules.

Is the WFSA standing the way forward? Weigh aboard and hope for continued honesty, not too sure as this system is obviously open to abuse by the less honest amongst our community. Again down simply to the conscience of the anglers concerned.

Option 3

Where as this would once again protect the tope from commercial fishing, this would then see no further RSA for the species, tope is a highly sought after fish and the largest most abundant shark in UK waters.

Tope is a very large draw for many anglers and to restrict fishing for this species would have a hard effect on the charter boat industry. There would a definite reduction in the amount of income into coastal communities, if a prohibition was imposed.

4 Costs and Benefits

Point 37

Charter Boat – My Way, Holyhead Marina www.goangling.co.uk

Area Anglesey, North Wales

Catch and release is practised on every tope caught. The tope is brought aboard the vessel occasionally for the angler to have a photograph taken.

To charter the boat costs £260 for 10hrs for up to 10 persons

Bait varies but on average around £20 per person

Tackle varies but standard hooks, swivels, line etc around £15 per person

Our customer base varies from north Wales, north West England, Yorkshire and Midlands.

5 Issues of equity and fairness & 9 Competition Assessment

Option 2 or 3 if imposed by DEFRA would have no effect on Member States of Europe.

This as suggested must be addressed with the European Commission and similar restrictions imposed to vessels from all member states.