Angry anglers are up in arms over an apparent growing number of rod and line fishermen who allegedly are plundering this sport fish to supply a ready demand in local restaurants. Beach anglers who have adopted “a put ’em back” policy to conserve what they believe is a dwindling number of the slow-growing species, were outraged last week by reports that the belated bass boom along the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline had prompted the commercially-minded to take advantage of a demand for a fish that is prized among seafood gourmets.
It was reported that nearly 40 bass have been taken on lures from Cromer Pier and barrowed to the tradesman’s entrance of local eateries in exchange for a sizeable three-figure cash sum, poured even more burning oil on these troubled waters. Although the practice of rod and line angling for financial reward rather than for recreation is frowned on by the majority of beach anglers, there are no fishery laws to stop an angler from retaining every sizeable bass caught.
The Bass Angling Sports Society (BASS) has been continuously after such thing and has campaigned vigorously for the authorities to beef up bass protection legislation, not least raising the size limit to 45cm and bringing in catch limits and other protection measures on the Irish model. Local fishermen say that the people who are catching bass for market appear to be unemployed and are fishing every day during the week. A BASS management plan makes several recommendations to support and conserve the species.
