Inland Fisheries Ireland launches public consultation on sea trout policy development

Wednesday, 7th of June 2017: Inland Fisheries Ireland has launched a public consultation on the development of a national sea trout policy and is now inviting submissions from the public. Sea trout has significant economic and cultural importance in Ireland with potential for further development. This is coupled with major concerns about sea trout stock declines in some systems nationally, most particularly along the western seaboard and requires that future management of sea trout is underpinned by a comprehensive policy. The Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland, in embracing its national species policy development responsibilities, has now commenced the process of developing this policy.

Sea trout in Ireland, in the context of legislation and management, has traditionally been closely identified with salmon and this consultation process will consider the requirement of establishing a separate identity for sea trout. The policy will make recommendations which will inform a range of issues including sustainable management of stock and any possible legislative changes that may emerge in the future. Other areas to be addressed will include protection and conservation (including biodiversity, habitat protection and interactions with aquaculture), stock assessment, and education and promotion.

Sea trout, the migratory form of brown trout, leave freshwater as a juvenile fish typically after two years. They enter marine waters where they feed heavily before returning to freshwater, usually to breed with some components of the population spawning several times over their lifetime. As a result, the sea trout is a valuable angling fish which occurs in most coastal rivers and inshore waters.

Inland Fisheries Ireland recognises the diverse opinions of stakeholders regarding the future management of sea trout and their fisheries and encourages stakeholder engagement through this public consultation process. Interested parties are invited to make submissions which will be reviewed and considered by the Sea Trout Policy Group which comprises of a range of representatives with a broad experience of sea trout within Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “The sea trout is a complex migratory fish frequenting freshwater, estuaries and marine waters. The biodiversity, economic and cultural value of this type of fish requires a policy direction to manage this precious resource sustainably and to conserve it into the future. This public consultation, and ultimately the policy recommendations which will emerge, will capture stakeholder views and incorporate the broad scope of management issues that will underpin future policy.”

Information on the consultation is available here or from any Inland Fisheries Ireland office. The public consultation period will run for five weeks until Wednesday, 12th July 2017. All submissions must be made in writing and will be published on the Inland Fisheries Ireland website www.fisheriesireland.ie. Submissions should be marked ‘Public Consultation – Sea Trout Policy’ and can be submitted by email (SEATROUTPOLICY@fisheriesireland.ie) or by post to:

Sea Trout Policy
Inland Fisheries Ireland
3044 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
D24 Y265

ENDS

For media information:

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

About Inland Fisheries Ireland

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.