Bernard Allen
Ceist:125 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason fishing from the riverbank is not allowed in Lough Brin on the River Blackwater. [15222/99]
Written Answers. - Inland Fisheries.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:126 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason a £20 per day fee has been implemented by the South Western Fisheries Board for those wishing to fish from boats in the Lough Brin system on the River Blackwater; and the reason this fee is being charged on top of the £8 per year fee already introduced. [15223/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
As I advised in a previous reply the Blackwater was purchased by the Central Fisheries Board five years ago and is being managed by the South Western Regional Fisheries Board, which has invested significant funding in its development, including Lough Brin. The lake is a good trout angling facility and has been attracting increasing numbers of tourists. The fee of £20 per day and the boat fishing rule was introduced to maintain and develop trout stocks and angling facilities, and to maximise the value for money of the investment for the benefit of the fishery and the anglers.
The board has advised that there is no other fee charged for angling on the lake, other than the £20 per day charge.