Fisheries Protection

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Questions (209)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

209. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his inland fisheries division and Inland Fisheries Ireland continue to support catch and release angling competitions on Lough Corrib special area of conservation, SAC, which advertently target native brown trout under 13 inches or 33 cm, as defined in the Western Fisheries Region Conservation of Trout Bye-law No. 840, 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63202/25]

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Written answers

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

I can advise the Deputy that the Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) support Catch and Release (C&R) competitions nationally, including on Lough Corrib. This practice has been embraced by anglers and angling clubs organising such events.

Catch and release angling is a key conservation measure by reducing fish mortality. Since 2012, IFI has invited angling clubs and tourism organisations to apply for sponsorship support in connection with hosting such events.

IFI has advised the Department that one of the essential criteria used in the evaluation process for applications seeking IFI sponsorship support is the catch and release requirement. IFI will not support any competition where the results/scoring system necessitates the killing of fish.