I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 302 together.
The use of nets for fishing in freshwater was prohibited under the Fisheries Act 1939. An exemption for draft netting for trout on Lough Ree was introduced by the Lough Ree (Netting for Trout) Bye-Law No. 484 of 1954, in recognition of the traditional draft net fishery on the lake.
No licences were issued for draft netting on Lough Ree in 1992, 1993 and 1994 which resulted in High Court proceedings. The court ruling from this case supported the restoration of the issuing of licences for that traditional fishery. The ruling also informed the Shannon Fisheries Region (Close Season for Draft Netting of Trout on Lough Ree) Bye-Law (No. 284) 2006 which introduced conservation-related controls including a minimum size limit of 30cm.
Consultations with trout anglers along the Shannon led to the introduction of conservation measures for recreationally caught brown trout in the major Shannon lakes, including Lough Ree, through Conservation of Trout (No. 8 or Limerick District) Bye-Law (No 949) 2017. Under this bye-law, the minimum size limit for recreationally caught brown trout is 36cm.
The difference in size limits is because separate conservation and regulatory measures apply to the traditional draft net fishery in Lough Ree and to recreational angling in the wider Limerick District.
Lough Ree is not designated as a salmonid water and there is no requirement for stock management operations, including in respect of pike.
