Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will instruct the WRFB to stop an activity whilst a by-law is in place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12777/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Western Regional Fisheries Board is charged with managing what I am advised are three of the top four wild brown trout fisheries in the country. Part of the Board's remit has been to maximise the wild brown trout populations in these lakes, which have been carefully managed over the past 50 years.

This management programme has necessitated, I understand, the removal of predator and competitor species from the lakes is carried out on scientific advice so that the wild brown trout populations can be maximised. As a consequence Loughs Corrib and Mask in particular are now renowned as the top wild brown trout fisheries and are attracting many thousands of tourist trout anglers to the West every year.

In addition Ireland also has a requirement to protect the indigenous species composition of these lakes under the Water Framework Directive so as a result introduced species such as pike, perch and roach are removed, on scientific advice, from the lake. I am informed that the Western Regional Fisheries Board is currently engaged in a public consultation process for the Great Western Lakes with a view to introducing conservation measures for wild brown trout.

The Deputy should be advised that it is only in these three lakes and their tributaries in the Western Fisheries Region where the coarse fish numbers are controlled and there remain numerous lakes in the region where pike are available for the local and tourist anglers to catch on a catch and release basis.

The Conservation of Pike Bye-law No. 809, 2006, to which the Deputy has referred, was primarily brought in as a conservation measure to protect pike nationally from overexploitation in rivers, canals and lakes where excessive exploitation was taking place. I have received no reports that the bag limits applying adversely affect tourism angling.