Home | News | Tagging Sharks in the Solway

email Email to a friend
print Print version

Tagging Sharks in the Solway

Press Release 23 March, 2009 11:51:00

SSACN Sharkatag 2009

Solway, South West Scotland, 12-14 June 2009

“Tagging sharks in the Solway”

Anglers gathering essential evidence to save critically endangered stocks

Sharkatag 2009 is set to attract around 200 volunteer sea anglers fishing from the shore, kayaks and boats in an attempt to tag as many inshore sharks as possible over a three day period this June. It's part of the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network's campaign to highlight the urgent need for shark, ray and skate conservation in Scottish waters, as well as raising the public awareness of sea angling and its contribution to the economies of many coastal communities.

The Scottish Fisheries Minister recently commented  “Our scientists tell us that some shark populations are critically endangered, and we need to respond to that advice.”

This is not news to Scottish sea anglers. The severe decline in the stocks of several species of shark in Scottish waters has been apparent for the last two decades, but in the past the voices of anglers have been ignored by governments - even though Scottish sea angling supports many livelihoods and business opportunities and contributes more than £150 million per year to the Scottish economy.

 

Ian Burrett, SSACN's Projects Director said
"Governments say they require research-based evidence but have never put programmes in place to gather the necessary data for sharks. SSACN's tagging programmes will help fill that gap by gathering valuable data regarding the growth rate, migration, non-natural predation, population and stock fluctuations of various species.
"Sharkatag 2009 builds on the successful spurdog ‘tagathon’ SSACN held around Loch Sunart only this time anglers will be visiting marks around the Solway looking to catch and tag tope, smoothound and spurdog and collect data on other shark species."
According to Willie Kennedy and Stuart Creswell who are organising the event

"The response to Sharkatag, even before this official launch, has been terrific. We already have had anglers from Yorkshire, Kent, Dorset, Cheshire and all over Scotland confirm they will be attending.
"This represents a tremendous commitment on their behalf to their sport and to conservation, perhaps even more so given the current economic situation."

Anglers signing up for Sharkatag at  www.ssacn.org/sharkatag/  will each receive a Participants Pack with details about the weekend; SSACN tope and small shark handling best practice guides; a list of suggested launch sites and fishing spots; tagging instruction ; fish return forms and one years free membership of SSACN.

WSF Tackle
SEARCH FOR TACKLE
DEPARTMENTS

BERKLEY FRENZIED POPPER £3.91 Each
Berkley PopperThe most versatile topwater bait ever produced. The Frenzy Popper just might be the best ever! Its unique balanced design allows it to be fished several ways. Chug it or pop it, and it spits water like a big fish chasing little ones. Slow it down with soft twitching actions, and it walks with the best of 'em.

TIDEWATER LURE RIGS 83p Each
FeathersAs any boat or shore angler will tell you, lure rigs when used alone or with bait are great for catching all manner of species. We've selected the very best rigs from the Shakespeare TideWater range that are idea for boat and some shore work.

7" WSF Jelly Worms
Berkley Power WormsDeadly 7inch jelly worms that are deadly for all manner of predator fish, especially pollack. We allow you to buy individual colours so you can mix and match what you want!
Jelly worms are 30p each!

Get ready for the new Plugging Season, Buy 3 get one of them for free, Blue Pilchard Divers
Blue PilchardBuy 3 Devil's Own Diving Plugs you get one of them for free in our 3 for 2 offer.
Check out our Devil's Own Lures.
These lures are ideal for bass and other predatory species. Price: £2.74 each. or £5.48 for 3.

WSF NOW STOCKS SAKUMA HOOKS
Sakuma HooksSuper strong Japanese Hooks from Sakuma. We now stock the 545 Manta Extra, 540 Manta, 560 Stinger and 543 Pennel Manta Extra hooks. All hooks are supplied in boxes of 30.

Bass PoppersBASS POPPERS! FROM £3.67
These excellent long range casting popper lures are ideal for numerous saltwater species including Bass. Berkley Frenzy Poppers.

SALTWATER FLIES FROM FULLING MILL FROM £1.25
Saltwater FliesWSF Now stocks the high quality range of saltwater flies from Fulling Mill. We have picked out a deadly selection from the Fulling Mill range that will help any saltwater fly angler this season.

BACK IN STOCK PENN CAPTIVA CV2 REELS
Captiva ReelsPRICE FROM: £37.18
Sea spinning reel, ideal for use with the Shakespeare Salt Spin Rod. Packed with features including an ultra smooth front drag, permanent instant anti reverse and a metal spare spool. The 5000 is idea for use with spinning with heavier nylons between 12 and 15lbs and Braid.

BACK IN STOCK SALT / CAPTIVA SPINNING COMBO DEAL
Captiva Reel DealsIdeal spinning combo from Penn and Shakespeare. Featuring the hugely popular Salt Spin 10ft, 3 piece spinning rod, and the fantastic Captiva 5000 CV2 Spinning Reel from Penn. PRICE: £73.39

BACK IN STOCK ABU CARDINAL 304FD PRICE: £37.18
Abu CardinalThis Front Drag version of the popular Abu Cardinal range of reels is an ideal reel for braid. Each reel features 7 bearings (1AR) Bearing, Instant Reverse and a spare spool. It holds 210/10lb line. Each reel comes with a free Abu Cardinal Reel Bag.


POPULAR TAGS
No tags for this article