Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 354: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will cancel the introduction of a by-law which prohibits fishing on the stretch of the River Shannon from Plassey to Thomond Bridge in view of the widely held view of fishing experts in the area that the prohibition is unnecessary and unlikely to make a difference to fish stocks and in further view of the hundreds of adults and children who traditionally fish in this stretch of the river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11498/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Shannon Fisheries Region (Prohibition of Angling with Rod and Line) Bye-law No. C.S.289, 2007 prohibits angling for all species of fish in a section of the Lower River Shannon from Plassy Bridge to Thomand Bridge during the period commencing 1 March to 30 September.

This bye-law was introduced at the request of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board which advises that wide scale illegal fishing takes place in this area. It is the Board's view, supported by the two main angling clubs, that it would be impossible to implement a management system which would be complied with and that to permit angling for any species would adversely impact on wild salmon stocks.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 355: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action he is taking in regard to the fears of anglers that fish stocks in many rivers here are under threat due to flouting of the rules and laws governing the number and size of fish caught. [11500/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a considerable body of legislation, both primary and secondary, relating to the illegal capture of fish from rivers. This legislation is in place to conserve and protect our inland fisheries stocks. Under the Fisheries Acts, the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards are primarily responsible for the management and protection of fisheries, including measures in relation to enforcement.

Each year the Department provides substantial Exchequer funds to the Fisheries Boards to carry out their statutory functions and an amount of €24.6 million is provided for in the Department's Vote in 2007. In addition to this I am in the process of securing additional resources to enhance their protection and enforcement activities on foot of the significant changes being made to the salmon management regime.