Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1012. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the rationale for the new bye-law to allow for the removal of pike from certain waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24259/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I have given notice of proposals to make a Designated Salmonid Waters Bye-Law and instigated a public consultation seeking observations on the draft proposals at any time during the period of 21 days which concluded on 25 May 2018. The principal intention behind the proposed (draft) Bye-Law is to give statutory status to the existing policy designation of seven distinctive waters for their management primarily as brown trout waters.

The seven waters are Lough Sheelin in the Limerick Fishery District, Loughs Conn and Cullin in the Ballina Fishery District, Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra in the Galway Fishery District and Lough Arrow in the Sligo Fishery District.

These seven limestone lakes are quite unique in terms of topography and trout habitat and have long been managed as wild brown trout fisheries via established stock management programmes. From that perspective, these waters are considered especially important.

The scope of the draft Bye-Law is confined to the seven distinctive State–owned waters where established stock control measures are already in place. This represents a small number of the many angling lakes and waters available.

Submissions from the public consultation are currently being considered before the draft Bye-Law is finalised. In addition, the proposed Bye-law is subject to legal consultation.

The complexity of a broader designation of waters and any required management measures, will have to be considered as a matter of primary legislation. Therefore, I have directed that this matter is to be considered in the context of the major Inland Fisheries Consolidation Bill currently being advanced by the Department.