‘There is no issue with lack of fish'

PAUL Harris of Dromagowlane House B&B in Adrigole has disputed Ashley’s claims, saying that while gill netting is a problem, he has not found anglers complaining of reduced numbers or fish sizes.

‘I really don’t see what Ashley means. We had three English guys here last week and they said they had the best week’s fishing ever.’

Paul said the same trio have been coming to Beara for 10 years and are still very happy with their visits to West Cork. 

‘They said they had phenomenal fishing and during one session alone they caught 300lbs of conger eel.’

‘Yes, gill netting is a problem, I have even complained about it myself in the past, but I think there is less now than there used to be. They were stopped from salmon fishing so that element of it has stopped altogether.’

Ashley references Crow Head, in particular, as a place where he had a poor experience after spotting a boat gill-netting in the vicinity.

‘There was one angler there last week and he got a pollock weighing 4lb-6lbs, and his best fish was 13lb 2oz.’

He said the only issue being mentioned to him by anglers was the reduced numbers of mullet. 

‘That is because mullet is a slow-growing fish and they are also an easy target for the netters, so they have taken a particular interest in them. But they need to make a living too.

‘But if you go on to the Sea Fishing on the Beara Peninsula page on Facebook, then you will see the amount of fish that is being caught here – and I think that’s all the evidence you need.’

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Bandon Co-Op is delighted to be involved with and supporting many local community groups all over West Cork. This video encapsulates some of the wonderful people that we have the pleasure of dealing with #TogetherStrongerWestCork