asked the Minister for the Marine the way in which pike killed by fishing boards are sold; and the amount which is paid to fishing boards for the sale of such pike.
77.
Written Answers. - Catching and Sale of Pike.
76.
asked the Minister for the Marine in view of the fact that pike were killed by fishing boards in 1987 on the geographic basis: (a) Shannon area — 4,800 (b) western area — 12,093 (c) north-western — 931 and (d) northern — 30, the various lakes in each region from which the fish were killed; and the number taken from each lake.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.
The removal of pike from certain lakes is a necessary management measure for the protection of trout and salmonid stocks on which pike predate. Pike are only removed where there is scientific or specialist advice that the removal is in the best interest of the fishery.
The following are the numbers of pike removed by the regional fisheries boards from lakes in their regions during 1987:
|
Shannon Region: |
|
|
Lough Sheelin |
2,950 |
|
Lough Ennell |
260 |
|
Lough Owell |
260 |
|
Lough O'Flynn |
100 |
|
Lough Inchiquin |
100 |
|
Miscellaneous Waters |
1,130 |
|
4,800 |
|
|
Western Region: |
|
|
Lough Corrib (Upper) |
4,315 |
|
Lough Corrib (Lower) |
4,043 |
|
Lough Mask |
3,540 |
|
Lough Carra |
195 |
|
12,093 |
|
|
North-Western: |
|
|
Lough Conn |
495 |
|
Lough Arrow |
204 |
|
Bilberry Lake |
232 |
|
931 |
|
|
Northern Region: |
|
|
Annagh Lake |
30 |
All the regional fisheries boards concerned attempt to transfer pike removed from trout and salmonid fisheries to nearby pike fisheries. However, this is often difficult because of the very delicate biological nature of pike. Any pike which are killed are sold to fish dealers at an average price of £1 per kilo.