John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 308: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a sufficient number of fishery officers dedicated to the Barrow, Nore, Suir rivers catchment area to police illegal fishing activity; the number of personnel involved; the number of fines issued or court cases taken against individuals for illegal fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32790/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is charged with ensuring the protection and conservation of our inland fisheries resource including enforcement of the Fisheries Acts, conservation Bye-laws and orders.

I am advised that there are currently 12 full-time IFI officers involved in, amongst other duties, policing illegal fishing activity in the area that covers the River Barrow, Nore and Suir catchments. In addition, there were three temporary officers employed for four months during the high season of 2011. The area (10,260 km2) that these officers police also covers the Wexford and Waterford coasts including the freshwater and tidal sections of the rivers Mahon, Colligan, Tay, Owenduff and Corock.

I am informed that IFI officers patrol the area in a manner which optimises staff resources and targets areas and times when illegal activity is likely to be greatest. This involves undertaking land and boat based policing over a 24 hour, 7 day per week period, including responses to reported incidents. I am reluctant to offer any more details in case it might compromise their operations.

I understand that so far this year there have been eight court cases progressed through the courts relating to illegal fishing in the Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir and 25 on the spot fines have been issued by fisheries officers.

It is a day-to-day operational matter for IFI to deploy the protection and enforcement resources available according to appropriate risk assessment and identified priorities.