Some years ago I understood Bass were common because they inhabited rocky areas where trawlers couldn't go. Then they discovered breeding grounds where they would shoal and started to decimate them however, I still believe Bass have more chance of escaping their nets than say Cod. Putting protective areas around places where they are known to shoal prior to breeding would achieve a lot more than just banning pleasure catches which will have little effect as indeed have all EU quota systems for the last 60 years; name me one!.
One of the first things we must do IF we get any control back of our own coastal waters is put protective areas around known Bass breeding shoals off our coast, off Beachy Head for example; we can do it better than the EU.
My own quota system is I will allow myself one meal of any species per year but I will forgo that on occasions, Bass for example.
As to limiting shore based anglers in general, they don't impact populations hardly at all IMO, charter boats might but if they were not allowed to fish certain areas their impact would be negligible as well.
I read a report recently where it was reckoned our commercial fishing industry was in line for a big economic boost and jobs when we leave the EU, maybe so or maybe not but it can not be any worse than it has become. But we desperately need someone in Parliament who understands it, is forward looking and innovative, not Micheal Gove who thinks we must allow EU boats in if we cannot catch them all; every last fish I presume...That's about as forward looking and innovative as a ....I will have to use restraint now........
