Written answers

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Inland Fisheries

8:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures he is taking to protect stocks of coarse fish from being illegally poached; if the instance of illegal poaching has increased in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31641/07]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of inland fisheries stocks rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. A considerable proportion of fisheries boards' resources and the time of personnel is devoted to protection of fish stocks.

Last year my Department introduced, on the advice of the fisheries boards, the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish By-Law No. 806, 2006, and the Conservation of Pike By-Law No. 809, 2006, which control fishing for coarse fish referred to by the Deputy. These By-Laws provide for a number of conservation measures including that of limiting the number of fish that may be taken by anglers.

Details of these instruments were advertised as stipulated in the statute and the fisheries boards have undertaken a number of initiatives to publicise their content within the regions. I am not aware of any recent increase in illegal poaching and no such incidents have been reported to me.

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