Angling bye-law to help conserve trout introduced in Limerick District

Friday, 16th June 2017: A new bye-law which will help conserve brown trout has been introduced in the Limerick District (Shannon River Basin District). Sean Kyne, Minister of State with responsibility for Inland Fisheries, introduced the ‘Conservation of Trout (No.8 or Limerick District) Bye-Law no.949 of 2017’ into operation on the 14th of June 2017.

The new bye-law outlines a number of regulations around trout angling in the area. It provides for an annual closed fishing season in certain waters, a daily bag limit of brown trout, a minimum size of trout to be taken in the specified waters and maximum number of rods to be used at any one time. The waters included are the River Shannon, Lough Sheelin, Lough Derravaragh, Lough Owel, Lough Ennell, Lough Ree and Lough Derg which are all located in the Limerick District.

Brown trout is one of Ireland’s indigenous fish species and is highly regarded as an angling species by most domestic and tourist anglers alike making it one of Ireland’s most valuable angling species.

Due to Ireland’s temperate climate and the shallow productive nature of its lakes, Ireland is the only country in Western Europe where lakes can support large trout stocks, which provides unique angling opportunities for fly fishermen. Research commissioned by Inland Fisheries Ireland indicated that expenditure by brown trout anglers contributes in the region of €148 million to the Irish economy annually.

Amanda Mooney, Director of the Shannon River Basin District, Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Trout is a valuable angling species which needs to be managed in a conservation focused manner. The new measures will help improve brown trout stocks and ensure they continue to provide quality angling for local and tourist anglers alike into the future.”

Anglers are requested to familiarise themselves the details of the new bye-law which can be found on http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/angling-1/bye-laws/1419-conservation-of-trout-no-8-or-limerick-district-bye-law-no-949-of-2017.html . Inland Fisheries Ireland has a confidential hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents - 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. This phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species.

ENDS

For media information:

Órla Sheils
Communications Manager
Inland Fisheries Ireland
E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
T: 01 8842673

Note to Editors:

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.