Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2024
91. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on what scientific basis or rationale a two-trout bag limit was introduced on the River Clare, County Galway, and what the Minister’s intention is regarding other waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25249/24]
View answerThis bye-law that I recently made for the conservation of wild brown trout in the Clare River and its tributaries - Conservation of Trout in the Rivers Clare, Abbert, Dalgan, Grange and Sinking Bye-Law No. 1008, 2024 – was done so on evidence-based advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The purpose of this bye-law is to reduce the harvest of adult brown trout migrating from Lough Corrib to their spawning grounds in the feeder streams of the Clare River catchment.
Comprehensive fish population surveys in this catchment in 2019 indicated that juvenile brown trout stocks had declined at a number of reference sites since previous surveys.
Public consultation prior to the enactment of this bye-law indicated support for this important conservation measure from stakeholders, including angling groups, to actively participate in the preservation of their local natural resources.
