Sea angling encompasses fishing from both the shore and from a boat. In Northern Ireland no license is required for sea angling unless fishing for salmon or sea trout when a game license is required by law for each rod used. Northern Ireland waters are extremely diverse, and in addition to species such as Pollack, mackerel and wrasse they contain a large number of elasmobranchs species (sharks, skates and rays).
Whilst many species of elasmobranches are stable or increasing, a report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) in 2008 highlighted that there has been a general decline in the landings of skates and rays from the Celtic Sea with species such as the common skate (Dipturus batis) which had been widely distributed in the Irish Sea now being rarely found. Due to the late maturity, slow growth rate and slow recovery rate, elasmobranches are particularly vulnerable to overfishing.
Whilst sea angling contributes to the Northern Ireland economy through the hiring of charter boats, tackle, equipment, accommodation etc., very little is known about its actual value and the stocks which it exploits. The 2007 Inshore Fisheries review highlighted the fact that “the social and economic contribution of sea angling to Northern Ireland is not known and as a result, there is a lack of government support and investment in this sector. There is also a scarcity of data on sea angling in Northern Ireland”.
Data needed to identify the economic value of sea angling includes knowledge of who fishes, how often they fish, when and where do they fish, how they fish (from small boat, charter boat, shore), what do they fish and what are their catch rates. This data will also provide some information on the stocks which are being fished.
A questionnaire will be implemented in Northern Ireland. The questionnaire will be made available to all sea anglers by placing it with charter boats, tackle shops and around sea angling clubs. The questionnaire will also be heavily advertised by using posters, presentations, and personal communications and in relevant publications. It is also intended that there will be AFBI attendance at the next angling show where questionnaires will be available. Using the information from the questionnaires we will be able to present economists with the data needed to calculate the economic contribution of sea angling to the Northern Ireland economy. The questionnaire will also provide information on the areas targeted by sea anglers and the main species caught. All questionnaires will be treated anonymously.
