Fisheries Protection

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Questions (207)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

207. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there are plans in place at Departmental level to re-designate Lough Sheelin as a pike and coarse fishery considering the results of the 2022 fish survey conducted by Inland Fisheries Ireland, which found that native brown trout are a marginalised species within a larger biomass of invasive and-or non-native fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63200/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

There are currently no plans to provide for any such designation for Lough Sheelin.

Lough Sheelin is designated as one of the Great Western Lakes and is a very important and high quality wild brown trout fishery. Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra, Conn, Cullin, Arrow and Sheelin are among the best wild brown trout fisheries in Europe and are collectively known as the Great Western Lakes.