Save Sprat, Save Marine Wildlife, Save Coastal Communities

Every autumn large, Irish-owned trawlers, work in pairs to systematically target small forage fish like sprat when they shoal in our sheltered bays to spawn. Sprat populations are crashing, causing a critical cascade effect through our fragile marine ecosystem. Our whales are gone, our mackerel are gone, and beneath the surface so is much, much more. Our coastal waters, the lifeblood of any island nation, are on the verge of ecological collapse. So we're calling on you, the people of West Cork and beyond, to say enough is enough, and insist the Irish Government puts a stop to this unsustainable and grossly damaging activity... before it's too late.

Find out more, and discover how you can help by following the links below.

How Can I Help About Sprat

Save Our Sprat West Cork responds to Government measures to protect Sprat... read our official statement.

How can I help?

Take action for Sprat in West Cork and Beyond

Sign the SOS Online Petition
Call on your TDs and Ministers for action
Spread the news about the campaign online and off
Attend events to raise awareness

What is pair trawling?

A pair of trawlers targeting forage fish close inshore off the West Cork coast

Pair trawling is a highly targeted fishing technique that involves two large boats working together to tow a huge net that can engulf entire shoals of fish. Used inshore, in our shallow bays, it is devastatingly effective and completely unsustainable.

All about sprat

Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) the lynchpin of the marine food web, is being systematically targetted by unsustainable industrial trawling in Ireland.

The Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) is a small, unassuming little silvery fish that, until recently, occurred off our coasts in huge numbers, and is the cornerstone of healthy marine ecosystems on which our wildlife, local economy and coastal communities depend.