REVIEW OF BOARD'S 'MIDLAND FISHERIES GROUP' of waters - RULES AND REGULATIONS
Thursday February 18th, 2009
The Board at its meeting yesterday decided to
amend its regulations to allow ‘two rods’ for coarse and pike angling on mixed
stock fisheries within its Midland fisheries group. It does not apply to trout
fishing.
The mixed stock fisheries where two rods are
allowed for coarse and pike fishing are
• In the River Suck catchment: River Suck (including Athleague, Donamon, Creggan,
Coreen, Culliagh) and the following lakes, Hollygrove, Stonehams, Lough Loung,
and Blacks Lake.
• In the River Inny catchment: River Inny (including Finea, Mullingar,
Ballymahon, Whitebridge and Red bridge, down into Inny Bay at Tommy Foxes),
Ballinafid lake, Lough Derravarragh, Lough Iron, Bracklough lake, Lough Kinale
and Lough Patrick.
• In the River Brosna catchment: Doolin pond, Mc Evoys lake, Sheever lake,
Slevin’s lake
Anglers are reminded that rules and regulations are for the conservation of all
fish stocks. The Board requests that any information regarding illegal activity
is passed on in timely manner and wish to thank those who have done so in recent
weeks.
MANAGEMENT OF SEA TROUT ON THE RIVER FEALE
The Board is recommending to the Department of
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that there is a ban on the
commercial fishing for sea trout is put in place on the River Feale for the 2010
season. This measure was supported by both the commercial fishermen and the
angling community and is seen as another step to conserve and manage sea trout
stocks in a sustainable manner. The board also recommended that a meeting is
held with angling clubs in the River Feale with view to proposing a bag limit be
brought in for sea trout caught on rod and line.
NET SEIZED AT BALLINAFID LAKE
Last Saturday, 13th February, anglers fishing on Ballinfid lake called our Officers to a net which
they had encountered. The net contained one 17lb Carp which was successfully
released alive immediately. The net was confiscated and the Board would like to
thank the anglers for their quick response. In a follow up operation a number of
on-the-spot fines were also issued on the lake.
MANAGEMENT OF SEA TROUT ON THE RIVER FEALE
At its meeting today the Board
will also consider seeking a prohibition on the commercial catching of sea trout
on the River Feale for 2010. This proposal follows concerns from both staff and
the local angling community at reducing numbers of sea trout entering the river
Feale in recent years.
For more information contact
the Angling Section, Tel: 057 9121777 or HQ Tel: 061 300238. Or Email:
info@shrfb.com
THE
MULKEAR
LIFE PROJECT NEWS UPDATE
The Mulkear LIFE project is a
newly established EU LIFE Nature project which is working to restore the Lower
Shannon Special Area of Conservation for Sea Lamprey, Atlantic Salmon and
European Otter. It is one of the most exciting and important fish and nature
conservation projects ever undertaken on a river catchment basis anywhere in
Ireland and hopefully will be a conservation blueprint for future integrated
catchment management. The lead partner is the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
and the associate partners are the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Limerick
County Council. Co-financiers include NPWS and North and South Tipperary
Councils.
The Mulkear River is part of
the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The work of MulkearLIFE
will be focused on the main channels of the Mulkear River and on the Dead,
Bilboa and the Annagh (Clare) rivers. The annual work programme of project
partners will be mapped out on detailed maps and reviewed each year to ensure
that all parties have an agreed geographical work focus as per the agreement
with the European Commission. It is also designed to ensure that the progress
achieved on various project actions can be carefully monitored on an annual and
season basis. Please show your interest in the work of MulkearLIFE and learn
about upcoming events (illustrated talks, workshops, feild trips, etc) by
registering on the project website
http://www.mulkearlife.com/
MINISTER LENIHAN T.D. APPROVES REGULATIONS AND
BYE LAWS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE WILD SALMON FISHERY IN 2010
Dublin, December, 2009
The Minister for Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan T.D., has approved
a suite of regulations and bye-laws that will govern the wild salmon
fishery in 2010. These will come into effect from the first day of
January 2010.
The maintenance of all existing controls relating to the wild salmon
fishery will apply again in 2010. This is following the receipt of
management advice based on the scientific analysis on current Irish
salmon stock levels,
Minister Lenihan said “a total allowable catch is to be permitted
for 50 rivers in 2010. This is two more rivers than last year.” Four
rivers which were closed in 2009 are open for harvest in 2010 - the
Maine, Croanshagh, Ferta (Kerry district) and Culfin (Ballinakill
district). Two rivers which were open in 2009 will be closed in 2010
(Glengariff (Cork district); Blackwater (Kerry district).
11 rivers are open only to angling on a ‘catch and release’ basis
because of the status of stocks. There are 80 rivers closed to
fishing as salmon stocks are not meeting conservation limits.
In regard to the scientific analysis of salmon stocks the Minister
said “the analysis shows that with the exception of a number of
rivers, virtually all indices, including counters, continued to fall
in 2009. This reflects the persistent downward trend in marine
survival which is pervasive throughout all the North Atlantic stock
complexes as reported by the International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea. Significantly, Irish marine survival indices
are at their lowest since records began in the 1980s and appear to
be declining further.”
“We must continue in our efforts to protect this splendid species
for future generations” the Minister added when commending the
management and staff of the fisheries boards for their efforts
during the year and extending his best wishes for the New Year.
Full details of the regulations and bye-laws can be found at:
http://www.shannon-fishery-board.ie/aboutus/legislation.htm#CONSERVATION
LOUGH SHEELIN ANGLERS POCKET GUIDE IS PUBLISHED
