BBC - Devon Great Outdoors - Increased demand for line-caught sea bass

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28 October 2014

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October 2004
Increased demand for line-caught fish

Line-caught sea bass are in demand

South West fish merchants are reporting a big increase in demand for line-caught sea bass. The demand comes after the government highlighted how many dolphins die in the nets of pair trawlers. Watch Janine Jansen's video report.

SEE ALSO

Nature Index

Pair trawling banned

Great Outdoors Index

Spotlight

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Brixham Seawatch

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

Defra

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BBC Spotlight reporter Janine Jansen joins father and son Graham and James Eden on a fishing trip and speaks to the Chairman of the National Federation of Anglers, Ted Tuckerman.

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The fisheries minister Ben Bradshaw recently announced a unilateral ban on pair trawling in British waters, to try to cut dolphin deaths.

A tagging system, which was piloted this summer by the South West Handline Fishermen's Association, has proved a big success.

The fish is tagged to prove that it wasn't caught be pair trawling

Line caught bass has a paper label fixed on to it saying "fresh line caught wild bass from Cornwall/Devon".

The tag proves to customers the method of capture. Each association member can buy tags for 15p each, or pay a yearly subscription of £10.

Line caught sea bass fetches at least £1 per kg more than pair trawled bass and it seems people are happy to pay a higher price for the dolphin friendly fish.

Ted Tuckerman is Chairman of the National Federation of Anglers

Pair trawlers drag a huge net a mile wide in between two boats. They catch tonnes of sea bass, but many dolphins get caught in the nets and drown.

Ben Bradshaw says this winter there will be a ban on UK boats pair trawling within 12 miles around Britain and there will be a licensing system for them fishing outside this limit.

But many fishermen are sceptical that this ban will not affect French pair trawlers and it will do little to cut dolphin deaths.

Watch Janine's video report to find out more.