Ragworm Shortage

[Stuey]

Have heard that there is a shortage of farmed ragworm due to the farms selling them off at a smaller size than is suitable for fishing to overseas fish farms as fish feed.

Has anyone seen evidence of this in the tackle shops? I was only able to get lug in billys last saturday but wasn't sure if this was a one off istance.

regards

Stu

 

[YoursTruly]

The farm is having problems growing the worms to a suitable size for fishing, it is nothing to do with selling for fish food.
The ragworm did not grow on as expected.

 

[KeithB]

I was told the same as you Stuey, the lad in the shop said they send it abroad in frozen blocks and aren't concerned about the size.

 

[Grommit]

I can only speak about my supplier, who is the same one that Billy uses and not the local producer

The problem stems from the summer where the hot weather killed over 60 tonnes of rag (virtually the entire stock) in the tanks in the farms in Holland due to the very low oxygen levels in the tanks. The farm has taken action whilst the tanks were empty and installed oxygen pipelines so the problem wont happen again

The rag shortage that Billy and myself are experiencing at the minute has nothing at all to do with the farms selling small rag to fish farms but is simply down to the fact the farm and the UK supplier will not release rag that is to small to fish with. They would rather supply limited amounts of the top quality rag that they have become known for selling rather than inferior quality small worms just to make a few quid.

Normal supplies should be back on line within 2-3 weeks

Hope this answers the question

 

[Stuey]

thanks for that ian. have you any frozen black lug and frozen squid in at the minute? If so I'll pop down tomorrow to get some.

regards

Stu

 

[Grommit]

Hi Stuey

Happy to clear up any confusion over the rag. It is frustrating for us as we are running out by mid Saturday morning as we arent getting our usual supply

Got plenty of black lug and and squid (calamari and mini). I'm in shop tomorrow until 11.45 (out for lunch after that!!) so if you pop in in the morn just ask for me