Written answers
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Inland Fisheries Stocks
Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
602. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the northern pike has not been removed from the list of native fish species here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24642/17]
Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
603. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans of Inland Fisheries Ireland to stop all northern pike controls, thus changing all State owned fisheries to mixed fisheries dominated by northern pike; the further plans of Inland Fisheries Ireland to retain existing brown trout fisheries or change to a national mixed fishery model, whereby northern pike are deliberately introduced into water courses in which they were not previously resident; the designation of Inland Fisheries Irelands of that water course post introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24645/17]
Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 603 together.
I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the National Pike policy, and similar policies for Bass and Trout, were launched in August 2014. The Pike Policy was agreed with the Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs, the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland and the National Association of Recreational Anglers. It was expected that the policy would be reviewed following 3 years of its implementation
However, IFI has already commenced, in late 2016, the process of examining all relevant and appropriate data to inform the review of these policies.
An important element of this examination is a review of the management of pike in designated wild brown trout fisheries. A group comprised of a range of representatives from all relevant disciplines within Inland Fisheries Ireland has been formed and is undertaking this review. Representatives of Pike and Trout Federations have been invited to participate in the group.
The work of the group is in an investigative and discovery phase and, in this regard the input of a range of scientists identified by members of the group has also been sought. Submissions received by the Review Group will be considered by the group prior to any conclusions or recommendations being made. Formal discussion on the policy will not take place until such time as IFI have also delivered the outputs from their scientific programme
A public consultation, commenced by the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland in November 2016, closed in December and all submissions can now be viewed by the public on the IFI website: www.fisheriesireland.ie.
The Review Group aims to complete the process by the end of September 2017. However, this is predicated on having an opportunity to complete the associated scientific research programme and all of the work of the review group in the context of the volume of submissions, the technical nature of the data referenced and the complexity of the issue.
I want to ensure that the policy review group is given sufficient time and space to complete the review. I expect that proposals for revision of policy as regards pike and trout, if any, will be decided once the review is completed. In the meantime, the existing policy, agreed in 2014, which includes pike management has been continued in 2017.
No comments