IFI secures conviction against a man netting salmon on the River Nore
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has secured a conviction against a man for illegally netting salmon on the River Nore.
Mr Francis Kennedy of Oaklawns, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny, was accused of unlawfully capturing salmon, which took place at a catch-and-release fishery.
Mr Kennedy was found to have two wild Atlantic salmon in his possession when searched at his car at Clonamery, Co. Kilkenny.
Netting and salmon illegally caught on River Nore.
Commenting, Lynda Connor South-Eastern regional director at IFI, said: “I commend our Fisheries Officers’ perseverance and continuous commitment to protecting the State’s endangered natural resources.
“This conviction highlights the ongoing issue of illegal netting for salmon, and IFI’s zero tolerance of this behaviour.
“Wild salmon numbers returning to Ireland have declined from approximately 1.76 million in 1975 to 171,700 in 2022. This is a catastrophic decrease in less than one generation.”
IFI staff holds up the net used to catch salmon on the River Nore, at low tide.
Mr Kennedy was fined €300 and instructed to pay €400 in legal costs to IFI.
The case was heard at Kilkenny District Court on October 22nd, 2024.
The incident took place on June 30th, 2024.
IFI urge people to report illegal fishing, habitat destruction, water pollution, fish kills, or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
