SALMON Watch Ireland (Swirl) has learned through a parliamentary question that €827,000 of licence fee arrears is owed to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by salmon farm companies.
Operators in Connemara have the highest non-compliance with €723,000 arrears and some companies have failed to pay licence fees in 10 years. All this in a period when the industry received more than €20 million in grant aid from the EU and exchequer, a spokesman says.
Swirl previously brought the issue of licence arrears to the former minister’s attention in 2009; however, the situation remains as bad as it ever was. “This evidence only reaffirms Swirl’s view of the shambles with which the Irish salmon farm industry is regulated,” he says.
Following recent fish kills in river catchments, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has highlighted the need for continued vigilance when making silage and monitoring of silage-making facilities.
Even a small amount entering a watercourse can have a devastating effect on fish and aquatic life. In one incident, more than 1,000 fish were killed over a 4km river stretch, the IFI says.
In addition to fines under the Water Pollution and Fisheries Acts, farmers may also be liable to be penalised their grant aid under cross-compliance measures.
In response to a request by angling stakeholders, the Loughs Agency in Northern Ireland is proposing three regulatory amendments to the Foyle and Carlingford Areas (Angling) Regulations of 2001.
The changes aim to amend the salmon catch and release hook maximum to 12mm, prohibit the killing of pike and extend the area for salmon angling to the remainder of the Foyle.
To respond to amendments, contact: laura.french@loughs-agency.org. Consultation closes on September 23rd.
Meanwhile, the agency has launched its first edition of Catchment, a small publication with information of ongoing work and projects within the Lough Agency area. To receive a copy, contact gillian.simpson@loughs-agency.org.
The weather was not ideal for fishing on Lough Beltra last week, however two salmon were caught. Anglers reported good numbers of sea trout, the best observed for many years.
Those who ventured out on Lough Arrow enjoyed good sport, especially in the evenings. Francie White boated three trout on wet flies to 1.1kg (2.25lb). David Gray had four to the dry Murrough and Green Peter, with his best fish 1.6kg (3.5lb), while Thomas Walsh had three to the Murrough, averaging 1.4kg (3lb).
The 54th World Cup Trout Fly Angling Competition is scheduled for Lough Mask in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, from July 28th to August 1st. More than 600 competitors are expected for the five-day festival on one of Ireland’s finest wild trout fisheries.
World Cup chairman Denis Kelleher says: “The lake is fishing reasonably well, so far this season. One positive feature is the large presence of small trout with some anglers putting back up to nine undersized each day.” Entry form and €130 fee should be sent to Esther Sweeney, 30 Lakelands, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, by July 15th. Contact 087-2170353.
Ireland secured a narrow victory over Wales in the International Fly Fishing Competition on the River Agivey in Co Derry earlier this month. With both teams on 90 fish over four sessions, it was the heavier fish that won the day. England and Scotland finished in third and fourth positions, respectively.
The competition was held on a catch-and-release basis, and Kieron Jenkins from Wales caught the longest fish of 36cm.
The Dargle Anglers enjoyed a recent weekend outing to Carrowmore Lake in Co Mayo to compete for the Steve Sutton Trophy. Conditions were good on both mornings but deteriorated as each day progressed. Results: 1, D Keogh, 4 fish; 2, P. Carton, 2f; 3, S McEvoy, 1f.
angling@irishtimes.com