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
Thank you to Jennifer Whitmore TD, who invited our Chairman Dolf D'hondt, @whittledaway.bsky.social and others to join a panel on Rewilding Our Seas at the recent Social Democrats Annual Conference.
For a rep. from Save Our Sprat Bantry to speak at an event, please email us at info@saveoursprat.ie.
For a rep. from Save Our Sprat Bantry to speak at an event, please email us at info@saveoursprat.ie.
February 13, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Thank you to Jennifer Whitmore TD, who invited our Chairman Dolf D'hondt, @whittledaway.bsky.social and others to join a panel on Rewilding Our Seas at the recent Social Democrats Annual Conference.
For a rep. from Save Our Sprat Bantry to speak at an event, please email us at info@saveoursprat.ie.
For a rep. from Save Our Sprat Bantry to speak at an event, please email us at info@saveoursprat.ie.
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Acadian Seaplants, a massive Canadian corporation and owner of Arramara Teoranta, has put in an application to harvest tens of thousands of tons of wrack from huge swathes of the west coast.
Is your area affected? Get in touch to start a local campaign ✊️
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
Is your area affected? Get in touch to start a local campaign ✊️
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
February 8, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Acadian Seaplants, a massive Canadian corporation and owner of Arramara Teoranta, has put in an application to harvest tens of thousands of tons of wrack from huge swathes of the west coast.
Is your area affected? Get in touch to start a local campaign ✊️
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
Is your area affected? Get in touch to start a local campaign ✊️
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
It literally takes one minute to sign this petition to stop mass harvesting of seaweed from the west coast of Ireland without proper public consultation. I signed and it’s at 12,222 out of 15,000 rn — please sign:
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: my.uplift.ie/petitions/st... @uplift.ie
Stop a Canadian corporation harvesting huge forests of seaweed from the west coast
There should be a public consultation on this plan opening soon but lets gather signatures to demonstrate the fact that up and down the west coast, thousands of people don't want our seaweed rights gi...
my.uplift.ie
February 11, 2026 at 10:02 AM
It literally takes one minute to sign this petition to stop mass harvesting of seaweed from the west coast of Ireland without proper public consultation. I signed and it’s at 12,222 out of 15,000 rn — please sign:
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Thousands of sea animals needlessly killed as bycatch of crayfishing industry in practice Dr Nick Payne of @tcddublin.bsky.social says is shameful
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Sharks on brink of extinction caught in tangle nets in protected Irish waters
Seals also among the animals killed as by-catch of growing crayfishing industry
www.irishtimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Thousands of sea animals needlessly killed as bycatch of crayfishing industry in practice Dr Nick Payne of @tcddublin.bsky.social says is shameful
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Great panel discussion at the @social-democrats.bsky.social national conference on rewilding the sea. Thank you to TD Jennifer Whitmore and Cllr Joan Hopkins for the invitation 🐟
February 7, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Great panel discussion at the @social-democrats.bsky.social national conference on rewilding the sea. Thank you to TD Jennifer Whitmore and Cllr Joan Hopkins for the invitation 🐟
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
"Protected"
When words become worse than meaningless: a cover for just continuing to kill off whatever little nature is left.
When words become worse than meaningless: a cover for just continuing to kill off whatever little nature is left.
Sharks on brink of extinction caught in tangle nets in protected Irish waters
"That the Irish Government still allows this form of destructive fishing throughout Irish coastal waters is an absolute disgrace"
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
"That the Irish Government still allows this form of destructive fishing throughout Irish coastal waters is an absolute disgrace"
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Sharks on brink of extinction caught in tangle nets in protected Irish waters
Seals also among the animals killed as by-catch of growing crayfishing industry
www.irishtimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:34 AM
"Protected"
When words become worse than meaningless: a cover for just continuing to kill off whatever little nature is left.
When words become worse than meaningless: a cover for just continuing to kill off whatever little nature is left.
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
''Acadian Seaplants, a massive Canadian corporation and owner of Arramara Teoranta, has put in an application to harvest tens of thousands of tons of wrack from huge swathes of the west coast.''
Sign the petition and lets stop this from happening ✊️
#SpeirGorm
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
Sign the petition and lets stop this from happening ✊️
#SpeirGorm
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
Stop a Canadian corporation harvesting huge forests of seaweed from the west coast
There should be a public consultation on this plan opening soon but lets gather signatures to demonstrate the fact that up and down the west coast, thousands of people don't want our seaweed rights gi...
my.uplift.ie
February 5, 2026 at 1:06 PM
''Acadian Seaplants, a massive Canadian corporation and owner of Arramara Teoranta, has put in an application to harvest tens of thousands of tons of wrack from huge swathes of the west coast.''
Sign the petition and lets stop this from happening ✊️
#SpeirGorm
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
Sign the petition and lets stop this from happening ✊️
#SpeirGorm
my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
A big day for the sea as the treaty to allow for the creation of Marine Protected areas on the high seas comes into force today!
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
UN treaty to protect ‘extraordinary’ marine life due to come into force
World-first pact aims to protect 10 million species from threats like climate change, overfishing and deep-sea mining.
www.aljazeera.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:21 AM
A big day for the sea as the treaty to allow for the creation of Marine Protected areas on the high seas comes into force today!
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
So often, a judicial review has been the only way communities can defend their local ecosystems, like the wild native kelp forests in Bantry Bay, West Cork.
Now the government wants to put that avenue out of reach.
Please tell them you're totally against this disgraceful step.
Now the government wants to put that avenue out of reach.
Please tell them you're totally against this disgraceful step.
Have your say by January 15 deadline.
In all our time in An Taisce, this is one of the biggest threats to environmental protection that we have ever faced. These proposed changes are clearly unlawful, undemocratic & unfair.
For more: www.antaisce.org/news/all-han...
#environmentaljustice
In all our time in An Taisce, this is one of the biggest threats to environmental protection that we have ever faced. These proposed changes are clearly unlawful, undemocratic & unfair.
For more: www.antaisce.org/news/all-han...
#environmentaljustice
An Taisce urges public to object to ‘unlawful’ caps on judicial review fees
January 12, 2026 at 2:28 PM
So often, a judicial review has been the only way communities can defend their local ecosystems, like the wild native kelp forests in Bantry Bay, West Cork.
Now the government wants to put that avenue out of reach.
Please tell them you're totally against this disgraceful step.
Now the government wants to put that avenue out of reach.
Please tell them you're totally against this disgraceful step.
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
2023 Fair Seas Conference recap...
Session Three: Harnessing stakeholder involvement for better MPA outcomes
Registration for the 2026 conference is now open.
https://fairseas.ie/2023/06/27/session-three-harnessing-stakeholder-involvement-for-better-mpa-outcomes/
#FairSeas
Session Three: Harnessing stakeholder involvement for better MPA outcomes
Registration for the 2026 conference is now open.
https://fairseas.ie/2023/06/27/session-three-harnessing-stakeholder-involvement-for-better-mpa-outcomes/
#FairSeas
Session Three: Harnessing stakeholder involvement for better MPA outcomes | FairSeas
The potential positives of MPAs, the potential negatives for stakeholders and how would you like to be involved in the MPA process?
fairseas.ie
December 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
2023 Fair Seas Conference recap...
Session Three: Harnessing stakeholder involvement for better MPA outcomes
Registration for the 2026 conference is now open.
https://fairseas.ie/2023/06/27/session-three-harnessing-stakeholder-involvement-for-better-mpa-outcomes/
#FairSeas
Session Three: Harnessing stakeholder involvement for better MPA outcomes
Registration for the 2026 conference is now open.
https://fairseas.ie/2023/06/27/session-three-harnessing-stakeholder-involvement-for-better-mpa-outcomes/
#FairSeas
Reposted by SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY
10,000 shark fins worth over $11M seized in major wildlife trafficking bust in Peru
www.cbsnews.com/news/peru-sh...
www.cbsnews.com/news/peru-sh...
10,000 shark fins worth over $11M seized in major wildlife trafficking bust in Peru
The bust, in the port outside of Peru's capital, Lima, led to the arrest of three men tied to a transnational criminal network involved in illegal fishing and wildlife smuggling, according to the U.S....
www.cbsnews.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
10,000 shark fins worth over $11M seized in major wildlife trafficking bust in Peru
www.cbsnews.com/news/peru-sh...
www.cbsnews.com/news/peru-sh...
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?...