This week, we received this question: ‘Just want to clarify about why the protest is being held when the industrial fishing of sprat is to be banned in Irish inshore waters from October of next year?’ Probably a lot of people wonder about this…
The ban does not go far enough to save our sprat. 46% of the Sprat (approx. 8 tonnes) was caught last year by boats under 18 m. There are no restrictions on these boats so they can catch this much and more. ICES* recommendation for limit of what should be caught in Irish waters is 2,240 tonnes. Irish fishing trawlers caught 17,000 tonnes in 2024. The ban is a redistribution of fishing rights. There is no quota for sprat. Sprat are still being wiped out.
What we need is an immediate moratorium. We need to gather scientific data on sprat stocks so that a sustainable management plan can be put in place. Sign our petition, contact your TD and demand an immediate moratorium on sprat fishing before it’s too late. Join our Call to Action on Sunday 14th Sept at 1:00 pm in Bantry!
*ICES – International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
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