Inland Fisheries Stocks

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Questions (546)

Seán Canney

Question:

546. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the efforts to manage pike in the western lakes, particularly Lough Corrib; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7287/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

In 2014, IFI developed policies on the management of Wild Brown Trout, Pike and Bass. These policies were agreed with the main Trout and Pike angling representative bodies and were scheduled to be reviewed in 2017. However, recognising the concerns of some stakeholders in relation to elements of the pike and wild brown trout policies, the Board of IFI decided to bring forward the review period for these policies and commence the process in 2016, focusing initially on the element of the management of pike in designated wild brown trout fisheries.

While the review is underway, stock management will continue in line with existing policy and IFI has now set out its 2018 Stock Management Plan for designated trout lakes. Details of this plan will be published in the coming days.

Stock Management has been undertaken for the conservation of wild brown trout in waters which are managed by IFI as wild brown trout fisheries. Such waters are identified in IFIs pike and trout management policies. The 2018 plan will again include operations on Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra, Conn, Cullin, Arrow and Sheelin.  In addition, I have asked my officials to consider how the designation of these waters may be given statutory status.  

A separate management plan was put in place last week for the Owenriff system following the introduction of pike to those waters. IFI’s rehabilitation plan for that system, based on work they have been doing since Summer last year will be announced shortly. Previous scientific studies have shown the Owenriff contributed a significant portion of the wild trout found in Lough Corrib.