Portuguese Fishing Licence

wotnofish · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: Portuguese Fishing Licence

Just got back from Portugal. Whilst out there I went into a tackle shop in Lagos and asked them about the effects of the licence on trade (having read lots of anecdotal evidence that recreational fishing was down 50%, 60% etc and the industry was in turmoil).

The response was that there has been absolutely no effect on activity. However, the point was made that this is because the licence fee is so low that it is easily afforded - 6 Euros (about £4.50) for a shore licence covering an area the size of South East England. One rather naive guy said that it might be a good thing if it helps improve fishing stocks - my command of the language prohibited me from asking him how he thought this would happen.

Problem is if we introduced a £4.50 licence here it would cost £20 to collect! More likely a £30 licence with exemptions for people on benefits, illegal immigrants, ex prisoners etc.

One point that has been missed by most is that, at the same time that they introduced the licence in Poertugal, they put a total ban on fishing in harbours and from piers. This probably will contribute to improving fishing stocks but may not be acceptable here - any views?