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.
Find out more, and discover how you can help by following the links below.
Save Our Sprat West Cork responds to Government measures to protect Sprat... read our official statement and see the questions posed to Ministers here.
How can I help?

- 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?

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

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.
Latest Sprat Updates
Sprat Roundup: where are we now?

On Thursday 23 October 2025, less than a fortnight after an interim quota for the 2025/2026 Sprat Fishery came into force, large Irish pair trawlers
Sprat fishery closed for large trawlers as year’s quota hit in under two weeks!

It has taken large Irish-owned trawlers less than two weeks to land the interim year’s quota of 2,000 tonnes of Sprat for 2025/2026, resulting in
Minister Dooley signs measures to ban large trawlers into law

On 30 September Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries, Timmy Dooley, TD, signed Policy Drective 1 of 2025, effectively giving legal standing to the
What's happening to our sprat?

0 tonnes
ICES Recommended Annual Catch Limit

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SFPA Sprat Landing Figure for 2024

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Percentage Over-fishing by Irish trawlers

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