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SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY

@saveoursprat.bsky.social
164 followers 131 following 25 posts

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. www.saveoursprat.ie

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Go Green @ecowarriorss.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hundreds of nations signed on to a goal to protect 30% of the world's land and sea by 2030. And surprise surprise they are are well behind in ever reaching these targets and probably never will because saving nature is not their priority but destroying it is www.dw.com/en/world-lag...
dw.com
World lagging on key UN biodiversity targets
Hundreds of nations signed on to a goal to protect 30% of the world's land and sea by 2030. As the timeline reaches the halfway point, activists say the current protection estimates are way behind.
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Valuable research into the climate impact of bottom trawling being carried out in the Irish Sea www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
Scientists aim to answer critical questions around carbon impact of bottom trawling
A first-of-its-kind study in the Irish Sea is addressing critical evidence gaps around the environmental impact of bottom trawling on seabed carbon s...
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
They want to rape 35,000 acres of some of Ireland's richest remaining ecosystems, utterly *jam packed* with biodiversity, spawning grounds for fish, massive carbon stores, vital coastal storm protection. The whole country must rise up against this criminal plan. www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
thejournal.ie
Who's behind the seaweed harvesting applications covering over 14,000 hectares of Ireland's coastline?
Four companies are seeking to harvest almost 51,000 wet tonnes of seaweed a year from Ireland’s coast.
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Kerry’s only fish farm to double in size, despite strong local objection. In today's Ireland, money trumps nature and people every, bloody, time. www.independent.ie/county/kerry...
independent.ie
Kerry fish farm to double in size despite major licence breaches
A new licence was granted despite strong local and public body objections
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Prof Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
🌊 Marine heat waves are only part of the story In many places, MHWs coincide with extreme acidity. The mechanism varies by region, stratification in some, upwelling in others The result...compound stress for marine life Ocean change doesn’t happen one stressor at a time. eos.org/research-spo...
eos.org
Why Marine Heat Waves and Acidification Strike Together - Eos
A chemistry tug-of-war between ocean acidity and carbon in warming oceans determines when and where these damaging events strike.
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Irish Wildlife Trust @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Thank you Katie Mellett at the Irish Times for getting in touch and setting the record straight. @fairseas.ie @irishenvnet.bsky.social @envpillar.bsky.social
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
"Krill meal is used as feed for aquaculture, pets and ornamental fish" This is what we prioritise over healthy ecosystems ☹️ theconversation.com/antarctic-kr...
theconversation.com
Antarctic krill fishing is now concentrated in the exact pattern conservation rules were designed to prevent
With location regulations no longer in force, fishing boats are harvesting thousands of tons of krill from very few areas, increasing competition with penguins, seals, whales and other marine life.
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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Hey, a species has come back from the brink of extinction. Let’s kill it!
theguardian.com
First bluefin tunas caught off Yorkshire since 1960s ‘success story’ for marine conservation
Researchers laud return of giant tuna to North Sea after being fished almost to point of extinction
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Caroline O'Doherty @codohertynews.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A marine heatwave is ongoing in Irish & European waters. Climate change made it at least 30 times more likely. It will happen yearly before long with huge impacts on species, fisheries & human activity. Study by @wwattribution.bsky.social @clairebergin.bsky.social www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
irishtimes.com
Ireland’s warming seas pose risk to public health, scientists warn
Climate change is main driver behind marine heatwaves that harm fisheries, tourism and public health
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Video showing the controversial use of tangle nets, which are implicated in the bycatch of a number of endangered species youtu.be/zCMhPM1hZ9A?...
youtu.be
Hauled One Mile of Nets... Here's What I Caught
YouTube video by Irish Fishing Tales
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Was at @irishrainforest.bsky.social's beautiful documentary tonight, highly recommend! Check out the trailer here vimeo.com/1211649058/7...
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SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY @saveoursprat.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
We were so pleased and proud that Mark McClean and Blue Hare Films were nominated for a 2026 Working with Nature Award for their film-making for the Save Our Sprat campaign. Thank you to the Powerscourt Estate for recognising all the valuable work. It would give you hope! 👏
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
It is good news - even if the process is taking way too long - that we now have draft legislation for Marine Protected Areas 🐬 On first reading there are good things in it but my biggest concern (among others) is the need for any measure affecting fishing to first... www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
gov.ie
Ministers O’Brien and Dooley drive forward Marine Protected Areas legislation that will safeguard Irish Seas
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Fair Seas @fairseas.ie · 06/06/2026
"What I really hope, is change" - Seán Ronayne speaking to us after his keynote address at the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference 2026 #FairSeas #WorldOceanDay
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
"Some 46% of those surveyed said their local marine environment is in decline while only 36% trust their government is doing enough to address it" At a global level, Europe is a laggard when it comes to ocean protection oceanographicmagazine.com/news/europes...
oceanographicmagazine.com
Europe's coastal communities are losing faith in their governments - Oceanographic
Half of Europe's coastal residents believe marine environment is in decline, as UK marks one year since bottom trawling ban promises in MPAs.
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Fish farms • Consume vast amounts of industrially-trawled wild fish, wasting 75% • Turn rich seabeds below into deadzones • Give parasites & diseases to wild fish • Are horrific for farmed fish • Produce toxic, chemical-laden food • Are eyesores in beauty spots • Harm tourism & fishing jobs ENOUGH
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Go Green @ecowarriorss.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Discarded and abandoned fishing gear— kills hundreds of thousands of marine mammals and millions of seabirds annually An estimated 640,000 to 800,000 tonnes of fishing gear are lost or discarded into the world's oceans every year www.wwf.org.ec?365018/Ghost...
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SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY @saveoursprat.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Save Our Sprat Bantry Bay were delighted to be at the @fairseas.ie Ocean Conference in Cork yesterday. For us, it's not only about sprat: we want proper protection of ALL aspects of our marine ecosystems, and demand effective Marine Protected Areas in Irish Waters!
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Irish Wildlife Trust @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Sean Ronayne (Irish Wildlife Sounds) at @fairseas.ie #OceanWeek conference For a nation that prides itself on being a maritime one... It should enrage us to see what we've lost. We need Marine Protected Areas now. @seanronayne.bsky.social
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Fair Seas @fairseas.ie · 03/06/2026
"300% increase in local income of small-scale fishers over 5 years." Could this be the same for Irish fishing communities with well-designed MPAs? Now we can learn from their process and ensure the same benefits can be gained for Irish communities. #FairSeas #WorldOceanWeek
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
I don't understand how the Irish government can claim it has protected the sea when it so plainly hasn't. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
irishtimes.com
Ireland rejects EU allegations of failure to protect marine habitats
EU commission has given Ireland two months to respond to notice of infringement proceedings on sea life and on plastics pollution
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Irish Wildlife Trust @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
📣 Rally 4 Ireland’s Seas 🌊 🗓️ Thurs 21 May 📍Leinster House 🔗 tinyurl.com/Rally4Irelan... We’re rallying to demand urgent publication of long-promised Marine Protected Areas legislation. #FairSeas #Rally4IrelandsSeas @fairseas.ie @irishenvnet.bsky.social
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Deirdre Fitzgerald @deebantry.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Sunset Bantry Bay 🌅
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Yet another no-trawl zone announced for England... what is Ireland doing? www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Sussex trawling ban: new protections for marine habitats
The ban around Beachy Head East MCZ brings new protections to marine life.
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Go Green @ecowarriorss.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
From seahorses to sharks, more than 3,000 fish species have been caught in bottom trawls, including many at risk of extinction -new research They are depleting the ocean of life and if they are not stopped we will soon have a dead lifeless ocean science.ubc.ca/news/2026-04...
science.ubc.ca
Bottom trawling catches thousands of fish species, including those most at-risk
From seahorses to sharks, over 3,000 fish species have been caught in bottom trawls, including many at risk of extinction, according to a new global inventory.
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Unimaginable destruction going on – day in, day out – in places that are supposed to be 'protected' for nature. When words become totally meaningless.
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SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY @saveoursprat.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Come join us Saturday, 21st March for some Sauna and Sea at Zetland Pier. Thanks to West Cork Sauna for allowing us to host this fundraiser. We are very grateful 🙏. If you cannot join us, you can still donate to our cause at donate.saveoursprat.ie Hope to see you there!!
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Very good piece from Olive Heffernon on the fishing crisis in the south west. There's a real urgency now to taking action before yet more damage is done. oceanographicmagazine.com/features/cre...
oceanographicmagazine.com
Creel fishing is a bycatch-22 for Ireland's angel sharks
Critically endangered angel sharks are among thousands of animals caught in crayfish tangle nets off southwest Ireland.
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Go Green @ecowarriorss.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Seas around Ireland are virtually emptied of marine life And what remains is drowning in plain sight Thousands of sharks, skates, seals and dolphins are dying in tangle nets And Ireland does nothing to stop total annihilation of marine life off its coast www.thejournal.ie/readme/fishe...
thejournal.ie
Drowning in plain sight: Thousands of sharks, skates, seals and dolphins are dying in tangle nets
Critically endangered species are being killed in a rapidly expanding crayfish fishery, and the State has known the risks for decades, writes Pádraic Fogarty.
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The Journal @thejournal.ie · 01/03/2026
Critically endangered species are being killed in a rapidly expanding crayfish fishery, and the State has known the risks for decades, writes Pádraic Fogarty. jrnl.ie/6968217
jrnl.ie
Drowning in plain sight: Thousands of sharks, skates, seals and dolphins are dying in tangle nets
Critically endangered species are being killed in a rapidly expanding crayfish fishery, and the State has known the risks for decades, writes Pádraic Fogarty.
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Saoirse McHugh @saoirsemc.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
The issue remains though. There should be no corporations given seaweed harvesting rights in Ireland my.uplift.ie/petitions/st...
my.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...
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SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY @saveoursprat.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
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.
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Uplift Ireland @uplift.ie · 08/02/2026
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...
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Éadin O'Mahony, PhD @eadinomahony.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
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:
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Caroline O'Doherty @codohertynews.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
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/...
irishtimes.com
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
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
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 🐟
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
"Protected" When words become worse than meaningless: a cover for just continuing to kill off whatever little nature is left.
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Uplift Ireland @uplift.ie · 05/02/2026
''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...
my.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...
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
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/...
aljazeera.com
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.
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Blue Planet Society @blueplanetsociety.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
How whale song helped save humpbacks from extinction. 🐋 www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
nationalgeographic.com
These unearthly whale songs helped save humpbacks from extinction
Once at risk of being wiped out, humpback whales charted a remarkable comeback thanks to their songs. In 1979, National Geographic issued a record-breaking album of those tunes alongside a story about...
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
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.
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Fair Seas @fairseas.ie · 21/12/2025
2023 Fair Seas Conference recap... Session Three: Harnessing stakeholder involvement for better MPA outcomes Registration for the 2026 conference is now open.  fairseas.ie/2023/06/27/session-thre… #FairSeas
fairseas.ie
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?
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Blue Planet Society @blueplanetsociety.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
10,000 shark fins worth over $11M seized in major wildlife trafficking bust in Peru www.cbsnews.com/news/peru-sh...
cbsnews.com
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....
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
It's a shame to see this challenge, though probably not surprising theskipper.ie/fishermen-lo...
theskipper.ie
Fishermen Lodge New Appeal Over 6 Mile Trawling Ban
Legal review proceedings have been lodged by over 20 Fishing Vessel owners against the 6 Mile Trawling Ban of 2025.
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Blue Planet Society @blueplanetsociety.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
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...
blueplanetsociety.org
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.
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
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...
irishexaminer.com
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 ...
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SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY @saveoursprat.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
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...
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Pádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Maybe we can sue the fish for not showing up? www.radiokerry.ie/news/kerry-c...
radiokerry.ie
Calls on government to take legal action over EU fish quotas | RadioKerry.ie
Councillor is calling on the government to take legal action over next year's EU fish quotas, agreed on Saturday | Radio Kerry News
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SAVE OUR SPRAT BANTRY BAY @saveoursprat.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
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. 👏 👏 👏
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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿-out-of-the-box @peterstott.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
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...
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