This handsome critter is both a fine game fish, you know when you have one on the end of your line, and a popular tasty table fish. They are slow growing and, according to the science, in decline. However, plans to halt the decline seem to me to be far from fair or effective. Beach anglers or charter boat anglers are to be told they can only land one fish per day per person during a shortened season whilst gill netters have had their quota enlarged and the season extended. I doubt you will find a single Littlehampton fisherman likely to vote that we stay in the EU come the referendum. As a footnote, several years back I climbed down a rugged cliff in North Devon, near Hartland Point, and hooked into a four pounder, beached it and as I unhooked the lure and looked into the coal black Atlantic eyes I swear it looked right back at me. Moved and knowing it was a hen fish, I popped it back into the roaring surf. I hope she fared well, lived to spawn many times and that she was not one of the many I have since bought from Riverside Fish in Pier Road and greedily consumed. - THERE is no definitive proof in the old chestnut that an abundance of berries in the late autumn foretells the coming of a harsh winter and is nature’s way of ensuring the birds have plenty to eat during the cold weather. Yes, it is good for the birds and sometimes the phenomenon coincides with a bad winter but it is, in point of fact, more likely to do with the weather effect on the bush itself during the previous spring and summer. In other words it is good for the health of the plant and if that benefits the wild things as well then so much the better. If you really want to know what the coming winter holds read the usual gloomy headlines of the Daily Express or better yet, look out of your window... --- Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LittlehamptonGazette 3) Follow us on Twitter @LhamptonGazette 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Littlehampton Gazette - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.