Written answers
Wednesday, 5 July 2023
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Inland Fisheries
Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in 2008 when his officials were drafting the Western Fisheries Region Conservation of Trout Bye-Law No. 840, 2008, did the now defunct Western Regional Fisheries Board provide his Departmental officials with validated scientific data to show that rod and line angling was having a direct and measurable impact on brown trout stocks in Lough Corrib SAC; if his Departmental officials used any scientific data to ensure that the said bye-law was in compliance with the requirements of Regulation 31 of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 94 of 1997); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32860/23]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I refer to Question No. 168 of 23 June. Bye-law 840 of 2008 is currently being reviewed by my Department, in conjunction with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), as part of the process referred to in that response.
The Bye-law relates to the conservation of trout which is not listed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as a qualifying interest fish species under relevant legislation (SI 477 of 2011).
Notwithstanding this, as part of the current review, subject to the technical and scientific inputs of IFI and relevant legal advice, a screening for appropriate assessment will be carried out of any revised Bye-law in the context of the Habitats Directive.
The existing Bye-law No. 840, 2008 was recommended to the Department by the then Western Regional Fisheries Board (WRFB) following a comprehensive public consultation process.
Following the consultation process, the WRFB produced a document reflecting the views of stakeholders and setting out the main proposals for the Conservation of Wild Brown Trout. A copy of this document is attached for the Deputy's information.
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