National policies for the management of trout, pike and bass, were today (22.08.14) launched by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state agency responsible for the protection, conservation, management and promotion of Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
Speaking at the launch, IFI
chairman, Mr Brendan O’Mahony, commented, “These policies are the first national
species policies to be issued from IFI and in this regard represent a new era
for fisheries management in Ireland. The policies will provide for the better
conservation and management of bass, pike and trout in Ireland and will help
ensure sustainability of stocks into the future. In addition, they will allow
for improved angling, economic impacts and help to sustain and improve the many
jobs that are supported by recreational angling in
Ireland.”
The three policy documents have
been formulated, through a rigorous consultation process, by groups comprising:
fisheries scientists; angling federations; and industry
representatives.
The recommendations will now be
brought forward and put into practice by IFI. Where required IFI will seek
legislative changes to underpin and support the policies, which will be reviewed
after a period of three years.
The main recommendations put
forward include:
- For Bass: a reduction in the daily angling bag limit from two to one fish in any 24 hour period; an increase in the minimum landing size; and a review of the closed season.
- For Pike: in designated, managed wild brown trout fisheries, the current bye-law is recommended to be amended to prohibit the killing of any pike greater than or equal to 85 cm in length; all larger rod-caught pike should be returned to the water alive; in all other waters of the State an angler will be permitted to take and kill one pike of less than or equal to 50 cm in length (as per the existing bye-law); additionally, the policy calls for further research into pike movement and transfer programmes.
- For Trout: a national minimum size limit; national bag limits; designation of a number of lakes and rivers sections as wild brown trout fisheries; in addition to other measures.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland
Fisheries Ireland added, “I would like to thank all who assisted with the
formulation of these policies, and I would also like to acknowledge the passion
and understanding that all of the groups have for their species of interest: the
environment; habitat; and pressures that they face. The challenge now is to
implement these policies through the work of IFI, angling practices, and where
necessary, with legislative support. I look forward to progressing these
policies with the same collaborative approach as used in their
formulation.”
For more information and to access
the policy documents, visit
