Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
244. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that the current regime prohibiting the catching and killing of sea-trout in certain parts of the west of Ireland (details supplied) is being operated by Inland Fisheries Ireland in full accordance with current regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10837/14]
View answerThe current by-law prohibiting the killing of sea trout covering the three Fishery Districts Galway, Connemara and Ballinakill and part of the Bangor district was introduced following the collapse of the sea trout stocks in the area in the early 1990’s and the failure of these stocks to recover to pre-1990 levels.
I have forwarded to the Deputy a graphic illustration of the stock levels 1974 -2012 which shows this collapse and the lack of recovery.
I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that fisheries staff enforce this by-law in the area concerned.
