SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
@saveoursprat.bsky.social
We are a West Cork community campaign of local citizens and inshore fishermen, calling for a moratorium on all industrial sprat trawling until this ecological keystone species recovers.
https://www.saveoursprat.ie/
https://www.saveoursprat.ie/
Pinned
We here at Save Our Sprat want to stop the indiscriminate fishing of Sprat in Bantry Bay to ensure its future as a key link in the food chain on which our marine life and the people around the Bay are dependent on.
www.saveoursprat.ie
Industrial scale trawling threatens the complete collapse of sprat populations on which the incredibly rich marine ecosystem of Bantry Bay depends.
SAVE OUR SPRAT is campaigning for a moratorium on all such activity until the species recovers.
Please join or support us!!
www.saveoursprat.ie
SAVE OUR SPRAT is campaigning for a moratorium on all such activity until the species recovers.
Please join or support us!!
www.saveoursprat.ie
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Supertrawlers are massive trawlers, up to 144m long, using huge nets up to 1km long to target pelagic fish.
Capable of catching thousands of tonnes of fish per trip, with disgusting levels of #bycatch, these marine ecosystem destroyers must be stopped.
blueplanetsociety.org/the-devastat...
Capable of catching thousands of tonnes of fish per trip, with disgusting levels of #bycatch, these marine ecosystem destroyers must be stopped.
blueplanetsociety.org/the-devastat...
The devastating trail supertrawlers leave behind - Blue Planet Society
Have you heard of supertrawlers? There are currently eight Europe-registered supertrawlers licensed to fish in British waters.
blueplanetsociety.org
December 21, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Supertrawlers are massive trawlers, up to 144m long, using huge nets up to 1km long to target pelagic fish.
Capable of catching thousands of tonnes of fish per trip, with disgusting levels of #bycatch, these marine ecosystem destroyers must be stopped.
blueplanetsociety.org/the-devastat...
Capable of catching thousands of tonnes of fish per trip, with disgusting levels of #bycatch, these marine ecosystem destroyers must be stopped.
blueplanetsociety.org/the-devastat...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
A leaked draft of legislation for MPAs that nearly passed in 2024 indicates that the government is taking a minimalist approach with low ambition for restoration of marine life.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ou...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ou...
Why are our marine 'protected' areas still nothing more than lines on maps?
Blanket bans on certain activities, such as towing trawls and dredges across the seafloor, or fixing nets for long periods, or even prohibiting all kinds of fishing or extractive activities from some ...
www.irishexaminer.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:22 AM
A leaked draft of legislation for MPAs that nearly passed in 2024 indicates that the government is taking a minimalist approach with low ambition for restoration of marine life.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ou...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ou...
5,018 as we write this message!!!
Wow!! That's 5,018 concerned people who want to stop the overfishing of sprat in Irish coastal waters. Thank you for your support.
Please share our petition further and let's put the pressure on our government to listen!!
share.google/sH692K8MMeHS...
Wow!! That's 5,018 concerned people who want to stop the overfishing of sprat in Irish coastal waters. Thank you for your support.
Please share our petition further and let's put the pressure on our government to listen!!
share.google/sH692K8MMeHS...
December 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
5,018 as we write this message!!!
Wow!! That's 5,018 concerned people who want to stop the overfishing of sprat in Irish coastal waters. Thank you for your support.
Please share our petition further and let's put the pressure on our government to listen!!
share.google/sH692K8MMeHS...
Wow!! That's 5,018 concerned people who want to stop the overfishing of sprat in Irish coastal waters. Thank you for your support.
Please share our petition further and let's put the pressure on our government to listen!!
share.google/sH692K8MMeHS...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
We are SO proud of our member Dolf, who received a Commendation in the Outstanding Individual Award Category from the Environmental Forum, recognising his unwavering commitment to safeguarding West Cork's marine environment, from kelp forests and sprat to sea grass beds.
👏 👏 👏
👏 👏 👏
December 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
We are SO proud of our member Dolf, who received a Commendation in the Outstanding Individual Award Category from the Environmental Forum, recognising his unwavering commitment to safeguarding West Cork's marine environment, from kelp forests and sprat to sea grass beds.
👏 👏 👏
👏 👏 👏
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
I don't mind puffins taking their daily ration of sprats.
But I do object to harvesting small fish just to feed to salmon kept in atrocious conditions in fish farms.
bsky.app/profile/trif...
But I do object to harvesting small fish just to feed to salmon kept in atrocious conditions in fish farms.
bsky.app/profile/trif...
December 13, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I don't mind puffins taking their daily ration of sprats.
But I do object to harvesting small fish just to feed to salmon kept in atrocious conditions in fish farms.
bsky.app/profile/trif...
But I do object to harvesting small fish just to feed to salmon kept in atrocious conditions in fish farms.
bsky.app/profile/trif...
Sprat are small members of the herring family, and are the basis of whole marine ecosystems. Yet they're being hoovered up by pair-trawlers to feed fish farms.
Please sign our petition calling for a pause on sprat trawling until we have more data.
Thank you!
www.change.org/p/save-our-m...
Please sign our petition calling for a pause on sprat trawling until we have more data.
Thank you!
www.change.org/p/save-our-m...
December 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Sprat are small members of the herring family, and are the basis of whole marine ecosystems. Yet they're being hoovered up by pair-trawlers to feed fish farms.
Please sign our petition calling for a pause on sprat trawling until we have more data.
Thank you!
www.change.org/p/save-our-m...
Please sign our petition calling for a pause on sprat trawling until we have more data.
Thank you!
www.change.org/p/save-our-m...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Chinese fishing firm Kaichuang reports nearly 200% increase in krill catch in Antarctica
with profits jumping 270%
Absolutely disgusting they are taking essential food from the whales and penguins and leaving them to starve
www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-...
with profits jumping 270%
Absolutely disgusting they are taking essential food from the whales and penguins and leaving them to starve
www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-...
Chinese fishing firm Kaichuang reports nearly 200 percent increase in krill catch, aligning with nationwide ambitions
Shanghai Kaichuang Marine International has largely expanded its krill catch in 2025, causing its profits to soar.
www.seafoodsource.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Chinese fishing firm Kaichuang reports nearly 200% increase in krill catch in Antarctica
with profits jumping 270%
Absolutely disgusting they are taking essential food from the whales and penguins and leaving them to starve
www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-...
with profits jumping 270%
Absolutely disgusting they are taking essential food from the whales and penguins and leaving them to starve
www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
The fishing industry is lobbying hard to maintain business as usual even as their members stare into the abyss.
Most fishermen want a change in direction!
thefishingdaily.com/latest-news/...
Most fishermen want a change in direction!
thefishingdaily.com/latest-news/...
EBFA Meets Commissioner to Discuss Future of Bottom Fishing in Europe - The Fishing Daily - Irish, UK and European Fishing Industry News
The EBFA met with Commissioner Costas Kadis to discuss the future of bottom fishing in Europe waters following concerns about its future
thefishingdaily.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The fishing industry is lobbying hard to maintain business as usual even as their members stare into the abyss.
Most fishermen want a change in direction!
thefishingdaily.com/latest-news/...
Most fishermen want a change in direction!
thefishingdaily.com/latest-news/...
Today in Bantry Bay and in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) around Garinish Island, two under 18m vessels have been pair trawling.
While they are most likely fishing for sprat, and that's not illegal for these trawlers, we have 3 key questions for the government ...
🧵
While they are most likely fishing for sprat, and that's not illegal for these trawlers, we have 3 key questions for the government ...
🧵
December 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Today in Bantry Bay and in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) around Garinish Island, two under 18m vessels have been pair trawling.
While they are most likely fishing for sprat, and that's not illegal for these trawlers, we have 3 key questions for the government ...
🧵
While they are most likely fishing for sprat, and that's not illegal for these trawlers, we have 3 key questions for the government ...
🧵
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
That was the case, for example, when the government granted a private company a licence to rip out *1,860 acres* of wild kelp forest here in Bantry Bay.
Only through judicial review was that prevented. Once this legislation goes through, the only option left to communities will be direct action.
Only through judicial review was that prevented. Once this legislation goes through, the only option left to communities will be direct action.
December 2, 2025 at 9:57 PM
That was the case, for example, when the government granted a private company a licence to rip out *1,860 acres* of wild kelp forest here in Bantry Bay.
Only through judicial review was that prevented. Once this legislation goes through, the only option left to communities will be direct action.
Only through judicial review was that prevented. Once this legislation goes through, the only option left to communities will be direct action.
While welcoming the ban on boats over 18m long inside 6 miles, we don't believe it'll protect sprat populations, or the ecosystems that depend on them.
Find out why in this great @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social webinar with our Dolf D'hondt and the IWT's Grace Carr.
youtu.be/o1HbD934bjM?...
Find out why in this great @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social webinar with our Dolf D'hondt and the IWT's Grace Carr.
youtu.be/o1HbD934bjM?...
IWT Webinar: Trawling & Sprat Protection in Ireland’s Inshore Area
YouTube video by Irish Wildlife Trust
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 7:12 AM
While welcoming the ban on boats over 18m long inside 6 miles, we don't believe it'll protect sprat populations, or the ecosystems that depend on them.
Find out why in this great @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social webinar with our Dolf D'hondt and the IWT's Grace Carr.
youtu.be/o1HbD934bjM?...
Find out why in this great @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social webinar with our Dolf D'hondt and the IWT's Grace Carr.
youtu.be/o1HbD934bjM?...
Wondrous kelp forests harbor a complex ecosystem that’s teeming with life, cleaning the water and the atmosphere, and bringing new hope for the future.
share.google/Z2S1xWnxict3...
share.google/Z2S1xWnxict3...
Underwater Forests Return to Life off the Coast of California, and That Might be Good News for the Entire Planet
Wondrous kelp beds harbor a complex ecosystem that’s teeming with life, cleaning the water and the atmosphere, and bringing new hope for the future
share.google
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Wondrous kelp forests harbor a complex ecosystem that’s teeming with life, cleaning the water and the atmosphere, and bringing new hope for the future.
share.google/Z2S1xWnxict3...
share.google/Z2S1xWnxict3...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
At NSW Parliament, Aboriginal Sea Country leaders, scientists, and industry came together to call for urgent action on urchin overgrazing and kelp forest loss along the Great Southern Reef.
Read the full story and the Sea Country Alliance’s plan greatsouthernreef.com/nsw-sea-country-alliance
Read the full story and the Sea Country Alliance’s plan greatsouthernreef.com/nsw-sea-country-alliance
November 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
At NSW Parliament, Aboriginal Sea Country leaders, scientists, and industry came together to call for urgent action on urchin overgrazing and kelp forest loss along the Great Southern Reef.
Read the full story and the Sea Country Alliance’s plan greatsouthernreef.com/nsw-sea-country-alliance
Read the full story and the Sea Country Alliance’s plan greatsouthernreef.com/nsw-sea-country-alliance
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
EU Fisheries Ministers have ignored science again.
2026 Baltic quotas breach the #CommonFisheriesPolicy and the multiannual plan for the Baltic, risking collapse of herring, sprat & cod.
Short-term profits are being prioritised over long-term sustainability. ⤵️
2026 Baltic quotas breach the #CommonFisheriesPolicy and the multiannual plan for the Baltic, risking collapse of herring, sprat & cod.
Short-term profits are being prioritised over long-term sustainability. ⤵️
Fisheries Ministers Risk Breaking EU Law, Jeopardising Baltic Sea Recovery
Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Baltic Sea Multiannual Plan (MAP), prioritising short-term interests over long-term ecosystem recovery.
europe.oceana.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
EU Fisheries Ministers have ignored science again.
2026 Baltic quotas breach the #CommonFisheriesPolicy and the multiannual plan for the Baltic, risking collapse of herring, sprat & cod.
Short-term profits are being prioritised over long-term sustainability. ⤵️
2026 Baltic quotas breach the #CommonFisheriesPolicy and the multiannual plan for the Baltic, risking collapse of herring, sprat & cod.
Short-term profits are being prioritised over long-term sustainability. ⤵️
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
"Industrial fishing can extract in a day what a small boat might take in a year"
Coastal fishing now involves very few fish and very few young people. If this is to change we need to say goodbye to industrial fishing.
theconversation.com/governments-...
Coastal fishing now involves very few fish and very few young people. If this is to change we need to say goodbye to industrial fishing.
theconversation.com/governments-...
Governments can protect marine environments by supporting small-scale fishing
Nearly 30 per cent of the world’s population lives in coastal areas. A changing climate and biodiversity loss represent an unprecedented threat to these ecosystems.
theconversation.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"Industrial fishing can extract in a day what a small boat might take in a year"
Coastal fishing now involves very few fish and very few young people. If this is to change we need to say goodbye to industrial fishing.
theconversation.com/governments-...
Coastal fishing now involves very few fish and very few young people. If this is to change we need to say goodbye to industrial fishing.
theconversation.com/governments-...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’
Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale.’
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale.’
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report says, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’
Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale’, a report by 160 scientists from 23 countries warns
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’
Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale.’
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale.’
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Half of Ireland’s rivers, lakes and estuaries in unhealthy state as standards slide again.
Successive governments have "engaged in rhetoric around restoring rivers and lakes to health rather than implementing real measures to prevent decline." - SWAN
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Successive governments have "engaged in rhetoric around restoring rivers and lakes to health rather than implementing real measures to prevent decline." - SWAN
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Half of Ireland’s rivers, lakes and estuaries in unhealthy state as standards slide again
Agriculture, sewage, chemicals and physical damage all threatening nature’s waterways
www.irishtimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Half of Ireland’s rivers, lakes and estuaries in unhealthy state as standards slide again.
Successive governments have "engaged in rhetoric around restoring rivers and lakes to health rather than implementing real measures to prevent decline." - SWAN
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Successive governments have "engaged in rhetoric around restoring rivers and lakes to health rather than implementing real measures to prevent decline." - SWAN
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
The biggest global gathering of nature organisations, scientists and governments, which takes place every 4 years, has just concluded. Once again, there was no representative from the Irish government - why have we opted out of participating in these events?
iucn.org/press-releas...
iucn.org/press-releas...
IUCN World Conservation Congress concludes in Abu Dhabi with ambitious vision for nature conservation
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 15 October 2025 (IUCN) – The IUCN World Conservation Congress closed today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, setting the vision for nature conservation for the next ...
iucn.org
October 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
The biggest global gathering of nature organisations, scientists and governments, which takes place every 4 years, has just concluded. Once again, there was no representative from the Irish government - why have we opted out of participating in these events?
iucn.org/press-releas...
iucn.org/press-releas...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Hunted at sea, sold worldwide: Inside the global shark trade. 🦈
Humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks annually.
That's almost 274,000 sharks every day, 11,000+ sharks every hour & 3 sharks per second.
www.fairplanet.org/story/hunted-at-sea-sold-worldwide-inside-the-global-shark-trade/
Humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks annually.
That's almost 274,000 sharks every day, 11,000+ sharks every hour & 3 sharks per second.
www.fairplanet.org/story/hunted-at-sea-sold-worldwide-inside-the-global-shark-trade/
Hunted at sea, sold worldwide: Inside the global shark trade | FairPlanet
A rare look inside one of Southeast Asia’s largest - and most controversial - shark markets.
www.fairplanet.org
October 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Hunted at sea, sold worldwide: Inside the global shark trade. 🦈
Humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks annually.
That's almost 274,000 sharks every day, 11,000+ sharks every hour & 3 sharks per second.
www.fairplanet.org/story/hunted-at-sea-sold-worldwide-inside-the-global-shark-trade/
Humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks annually.
That's almost 274,000 sharks every day, 11,000+ sharks every hour & 3 sharks per second.
www.fairplanet.org/story/hunted-at-sea-sold-worldwide-inside-the-global-shark-trade/
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Counting down the 10 final days of our shore survey, we want to inspire you until the very end! Plan a survey in your local area now, and explore the complex varieties of seaweeds on your shores! Book your survey unit today! Coastwatch.org
(Images via iNaturalist and Seaweed.ie)
(Images via iNaturalist and Seaweed.ie)
October 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Counting down the 10 final days of our shore survey, we want to inspire you until the very end! Plan a survey in your local area now, and explore the complex varieties of seaweeds on your shores! Book your survey unit today! Coastwatch.org
(Images via iNaturalist and Seaweed.ie)
(Images via iNaturalist and Seaweed.ie)
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
@swanireland.ie @saveoursprat.bsky.social
Friends in Koksilah watershed Vancouver island ask us to share&sign and support please. Sign the Open Letter to Mosaic logging company www.koksilahwatershedgroup.org/open-letter-... Stop Proposed Mines Road Logging Activity in the Koksilah Watershed
Friends in Koksilah watershed Vancouver island ask us to share&sign and support please. Sign the Open Letter to Mosaic logging company www.koksilahwatershedgroup.org/open-letter-... Stop Proposed Mines Road Logging Activity in the Koksilah Watershed
Sign the Open Letter to Mosaic
Stop Proposed Mines Road Logging Activity in the Koksilah Watershed
Dear Jimmie Hodgson,
We, the undersigned members of the Koksilah Watershed community, urge you to halt Mosaic’s proposed loggin...
www.koksilahwatershedgroup.org
September 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
@swanireland.ie @saveoursprat.bsky.social
Friends in Koksilah watershed Vancouver island ask us to share&sign and support please. Sign the Open Letter to Mosaic logging company www.koksilahwatershedgroup.org/open-letter-... Stop Proposed Mines Road Logging Activity in the Koksilah Watershed
Friends in Koksilah watershed Vancouver island ask us to share&sign and support please. Sign the Open Letter to Mosaic logging company www.koksilahwatershedgroup.org/open-letter-... Stop Proposed Mines Road Logging Activity in the Koksilah Watershed
Be part of our fun event on Sunday in Bantry! We'll collect near the bay for a group drone shot of the letters 'Save Our Sprat', followed by a free viewing of Ocean, the new Attenborough film. TD Jennifer Whitmore will tell us about her proposed bill.
Please come along, and please share!!!
Please come along, and please share!!!
September 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Be part of our fun event on Sunday in Bantry! We'll collect near the bay for a group drone shot of the letters 'Save Our Sprat', followed by a free viewing of Ocean, the new Attenborough film. TD Jennifer Whitmore will tell us about her proposed bill.
Please come along, and please share!!!
Please come along, and please share!!!
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Collapse of critical Atlantic current (AMOC) is no longer low-likelihood, study finds.
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic
fallout.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic
fallout.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Collapse of critical Atlantic current (AMOC) is no longer low-likelihood, study finds.
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic
fallout.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic
fallout.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...