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.
Help us Save our Sprat! Join us on a Protest March in Clonakilty
Wednesday 13th August... find out more here.

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
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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.
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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.

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What's happening to our sprat?

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
0 tonnes
ICES Recommended Annual Catch Limit
Industrial Pair Trawlers are decimating sprat populations through unreghulated overfishing in West Cork.
c.0 tonnes
SFPA Sprat Landing Figure for 2024
Sprat are being over-fished to extinction on Ireland's South Coast
0 % overfished
Percentage Over-fishing by Irish trawlers
The new Sprat Lifecycle in West Cork -- a journey to extinction.

Save our Sprat West Cork is supported by...

The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group supports Save Our Sprat
The Irish Wildlife Trust supports Save Our Sprat
Birdwatch Ireland supports Save Our Sprat
An Taisce Supports Save Our Sprat
The Environmental Forum supports Save Our Sprat
Nature Network Ireland supports Save Our Sprat.
Leave No Trace Ireland supports Save Our Sprat
Coastwatch supports Save Our Sprat
Ireland's Wildlife supports Save Our Sprat
Save Our Sprat Bantry Bay
The Irish Charter Skippers Association supports Save Our Sprat
Blue Planet Society supports Save Our Sprat
Mizen Head supports Save Our Sprat.
Cork Whale Watch and Colin Barnes supports Save Our Sprat
Oceans Plastic Project Supports Save Our Sprat
Cork Ecology supports Save Our Sprat
Atlantic Whale & Wildlife Tours supports Save Our Sprat
Jellyfish Surf Shop supports Save Our Sprat
Clonakilty Distillery Supports Save Our Sprat
CECAS supports Save Our Sprat
West Cork Charters supports Save Our Sprat
Union Chandlery Cork Supports Save Our Sprat.
Angling Adventures West Cork supports Save Our Sprat.
Green Skibbereen supports Save Our Sprat
Kiwi Girl Mullaghmore supports Save Our Sprat
Blasket Island Marine Tours supports Save Our Sprat
View all supporters

Please support our colleagues fighting to Save Our Sprat in Bantry Bay

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