Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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353. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an Inland Fisheries Ireland operational manager has a trout fishing lodge on Lough Corrib, while, at the same time, using gillnets to fish for pike on SAC 297, Lough Corrib. [39173/14]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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354. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if gillnets are allowed to be used during pike spawning season on all west of Ireland lakes. [39174/14]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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355. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Inland Fisheries Ireland allows Waterways Ireland to cut and remove weed from canals during pike spawning season. [39175/14]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 to 355, inclusive, together.

I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has recently launched detailed policy documents in respect of Pike and Brown Trout. During the preparation of these policies IFI liaised with relevant angling federations and reviewed the scientific advice on the two species. The management requirement for predator control measures and their efficiency is based on data from scientific fish surveys. However, work has commenced on examining the feasibility of managing juvenile populations as against gill netting for adults.

IFI was established following the amalgamation of the Central & Regional Fisheries Board on July 1st 2010. In that regard the new agency adopted many of the policies and procedures in place by the various fisheries Boards prior to its establishment.

The Head of Operations in IFI is involved in all aspects of these programmes. Lough Corrib and a number of other lakes in the western region have been managed as wild brown trout fisheries since the establishment of the Inland Fisheries Trust (IFT) in the 1950’s, and the Trusts development in to the Regional Fisheries Boards in the 1980’s. It is in this context that predator management programmes have been carried out in line with scientific advice. The western lakes are unique in Europe in being the only large lakes with underlying limestone geology which supports and promotes a unique habitat for the production and development of brown trout.

While IFI liaise closely with Waterways Ireland on fisheries and environmental matters, statutory responsibility in respect of canals lies with Waterways Ireland and the cutting and removal of weed is a day to day matter for that organisation.