New Era for Fisheries Management at Launch of Bass, Pike and Trout Policies

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

• Inland Fisheries Ireland Brown Trout Policy
• Inland Fisheries Ireland Pike Policy
• Inland Fisheries Ireland Bass Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tolka fish kill may have been washing-up spill

Tolka fish kill may have been washing-up spill

Thousands of fish killed after chemicals dumped in Dublin's Tolka River

 

Thousands of fish have been killed after chemicals were dumped in the Tolka River.
The tragic scene was discovered yesterday after the river was covered in a bubble bath-like foam.
Dublin City Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland have launched an investigation into the source of the contaminating material that caused the incident.

Brian Beckett of Inland Fisheries Ireland said that thousands of fish had been killed by the pollution.
He said the body had an environmental team on the site from early yesterday after receiving a tip off through their environmental helpline - 1890 34 24 74. He said they "followed the foam" up the river to an area around the Finglas Road Bridge but added: "We have to be careful to protect the integrity of the case as it is an ongoing investigation. "We took water samples, but it can be difficult to pin point the source if the source has already gone."

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Niall Greene appointed to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has appointed Mr. Niall Greene, LLB, LLM, to the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. Mr. Greene has worked at senior management and board level with a number of prestigious private companies in the aviation industry and public agencies over his extensive career. He currently holds positions on a number of boards in the data management, security, aircraft and airport management industries, recently holding positions on disciplinary, audit, nomination and corporate governance sub-committees.

He also serves on the board of the Hunt Museum in Limerick, which he currently chairs.
Niall Greene also chairs the board of Salmon Watch Ireland Limited and is a member of the Shannon, Mulkear and District Anglers Association and of the Tralee and District Anglers Association. He is a former member of the executive of the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers.

He was instrumental in bringing together the three national game anglers federations to form Stop Salmon Drifts Nets Now in 2004 and chaired the board during the successful 2004/7 campaign. In 2012 he was elected co-chair of the NGO Group at the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) and has held a position on Inland Fisheries Ireland's National Inland Fisheries Forum since 2011. Mr Greene brings with him a vast wealth of experience and passion for conservation to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Sea Trout Fishing in the South of Ireland by Hans Eckhardt Wagner

One of Eckhardt's homemade sea trout flies (this photograph is copyright protected)

40cm Sea Trout caught by Eckhardt Wagner (this photograph is copyright protected)

The most dominant water level on Ireland's so called "Spate Rivers" is low water. The chances of catching a salmon are low but not for sea trout! The sea trout can be best described as "Nomads of the Tide" who will travel up rivers regardless of water level, even in very low water conditions.

Great sport can be experienced by using a small-medium sized trout rod (6-7wt) with a silvery streamer fly, hook size 8 or 10. During the day it’s no harm to look in the pools before fishing by darkness of night. This means in the month of July, sea trout fishermen don’t start fly fishing till it’s completely dark.

There are plenty of rivers in County Cork that enjoy good runs of sea trout in the summer months. The Argideen river, Bandon river, Ilen river, River Lee, Owenabue (Owen Boy!) to name but a few and some smaller rivers with tidal influence as well.

If you catch a sea trout by fly don't be at all surprised that the fish will spend most of the fight jumping in mid air, providing great sport. The use of barbless single hooks is encouraged and release of all sea trout unharmed.

Stop Salmon Draft Nets in Our Estuaries Now!

What chance do the salmon have when our rivers are so low during a heat wave making it easy for these legalized nets to clean up! They continue to wipe out our natural salmon stocks.

Draft Nets between Cappoquin and Dromana River Blackwater Munster. 

11th of July 2014, broad daylight, low tide.

Netting of Salmon on the River Lee, County Cork

Article from Trout and Salmon 2001 (Bandon River)