Fishing Industry

Tuesday, 2 July 2024

Ceisteanna (121)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

121. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been discussions between the inland fisheries division and Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding the implementation of a full catch and release policy on all fish species, both native and non-native, throughout the Clare River catchment (part of Lough Corrib SAC) including its tributaries of the Abbert, Dalgan, Grange, Nanny and Sinking rivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27881/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I recently introduced a bye-law 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 - on the basis of 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 in order to protect and conserve the mature fish stocks of the Clare River catchment.

In view of IFI's statutory remit and scientific expertise, my Department considers the advice of Inland Fisheries Ireland on the conservation of fish species nationally on an ongoing basis.