Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the effect that a by-law (details supplied) will have on tourism; when this by-law came into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12774/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will amend a by-law (details supplied) by increasing the 50 cm limit to 70cm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12775/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will amend a by-law (details supplied) in certain angling waters in view of the effect the by-law is having unnecessarily on the angling tourism business and in view of the actual fish stocks, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12776/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will amend a by-law (details supplied) by increasing the 25cm limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12799/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 to 377, inclusive, and 379 together.

The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-law No. 806, 2006, which came into effect on 20 July 2006, introduced a series of controls to protect coarse fish stocks. The Conservation of Pike Bye-law No. 809, 2006, which came into effect on 3 August 2006, was primarily brought in to protect pike.

The impact of these bye-laws, which were introduced as a conservation measure, is being monitored by the Regional Fisheries Boards and their application will be reviewed over time. The suggested amendments by the Deputy would presume that reduced conservation effort is necessary. It is, I understand, too soon to make such a judgement.

I am not aware of any adverse impact on angling tourism for coarse fish in the area of the Great Western Lakes, which are primarily managed as a wild brown trout fishery and are, according to the fisheries board, attracting many thousands of tourist trout anglers to the West every year.

The bye-laws were introduced to prevent overexploitation of coarse fish and pike in rivers, canals and lakes where there may have been excessive exploitation taking place. I have received no reports that the bag limits applying adversely affect tourism angling.