New Era for Fisheries Management at Launch of Bass, Pike and Trout Policies

jd

PRESS RELEASE Friday, 22nd August 2014
New Era for Fisheries Management at Launch of Bass, Pike and Trout Policies
National policies for the management of trout, pike and bass, were today (22.08.14) launched by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state agency responsible for the protection, conservation, management and promotion of Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
Speaking at the launch, IFI chairman, Mr Brendan O’Mahony, commented, “These policies are the first national species policies to be issued from IFI and in this regard represent a new era for fisheries management in Ireland. The policies will provide for the better conservation and management of bass, pike and trout in Ireland and will help ensure sustainability of stocks into the future. In addition, they will allow for improved angling, economic impacts and help to sustain and improve the many jobs that are supported by recreational angling in Ireland.”
The three policy documents have been formulated, through a rigorous consultation process, by groups comprising: fisheries scientists; angling federations; and industry representatives.
The recommendations will now be brought forward and put into practice by IFI. Where required IFI will seek legislative changes to underpin and support the policies, which will be reviewed after a period of three years.
The main recommendations put forward include:
For Bass: a reduction in the daily angling bag limit from two to one fish in any 24 hour period; an increase in the minimum landing size; and a review of the closed season.
For Pike: in designated, managed wild brown trout fisheries, the current bye-law is recommended to be amended to prohibit the killing of any pike greater than or equal to 85 cm in length; all larger rod-caught pike should be returned to the water alive; in all other waters of the State an angler will be permitted to take and kill one pike of less than or equal to 50 cm in length (as per the existing bye-law); additionally, the policy calls for further research into pike movement and transfer programmes.
For Trout: a national minimum size limit; national bag limits; designation of a number of lakes and rivers sections as wild brown trout fisheries; in addition to other measures.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland added, “I would like to thank all who assisted with the formulation of these policies, and I would also like to acknowledge the passion and understanding that all of the groups have for their species of interest: the environment; habitat; and pressures that they face. The challenge now is to implement these policies through the work of IFI, angling practices, and where necessary, with legislative support. I look forward to progressing these policies with the same collaborative approach as used in their formulation.”
FAQ-> http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/FAQ/faq.html
Brown Trout -> http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/policies/454-inland-fisheries-ireland-brown-trout-policy/file
Bass -> http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/policies/453-inland-fisheries-ireland-bass-policy/file
Pike -> http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/policies/455-inland-fisheries-ireland-pike-policy/file

whelzer

I really like the Trout paper, national size/bag limits (should be complete C&R imho but that is a totally different thread!), the focus water quality and an emphaise on habitat over stocking is a nice comment as well - are we finally catching up with the rest of the world??

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I was amused by the national size limit for brown trout at 20cm. Out club is 28cm. 20 seems very small.

whelzer

Nico Tasty Belly wrote: »

I was amused by the national size limit for brown trout at 20cm. Out club is 28cm. 20 seems very small.

It depends on the water, some rivers I frequent a 28cm fish would be a monster (eg Upper Liffey), the main point is there will be a national strategy around protection/survival, etc for what imho is a national treasure - our wild brown trout. Personally I have not kept a trout in ages.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

whelzer wrote: »

It depends on the water, some rivers I frequent a 28cm fish would be a monster (eg Upper Liffey), the main point is there will be a national strategy around protection/survival, etc for what imho is a national treasure - our wild brown trout. Personally I have not kept a trout in ages.

I agree fully with you and I too don't keep trout - well not in the past 40+ years. We never get 28cm in our river but 20 would be regular enough. I'd hate to see it pulled back to 20cm

Zzippy

Nico Tasty Belly wrote: »

I agree fully with you and I too don't keep trout - well not in the past 40+ years. We never get 28cm in our river but 20 would be regular enough. I'd hate to see it pulled back to 20cm

In many (very many) fisheries there is no size limit whatsoever, for various reasons - clubs/owners never requested a byelaw, etc. A national limit will at least bring in a minimum size for those fisheries. I'm pretty sure existing size limits will not be affected e.g. on the Corrib catchment it will remain at 33cm.

Is your 28cm limit a club rule or a byelaw?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Zzippy wrote: »

In many (very many) fisheries there is no size limit whatsoever, for various reasons - clubs/owners never requested a byelaw, etc. A national limit will at least bring in a minimum size for those fisheries. I'm pretty sure existing size limits will not be affected e.g. on the Corrib catchment it will remain at 33cm.

Is your 28cm limit a club rule or a byelaw?

Club rule and I know the thinking but I feel 20cm is very small.

Zzippy

Nico Tasty Belly wrote: »

Club rule and I know the thinking but I feel 20cm is very small.

I agree. I think 30cm should be minimum. That would rule out anyone taking a trout in a lot fisheries, but I could live with that. A trout under 30cm is too small to eat IMO. If your club owns or manages the fishing you can request a byelaw for a 28cm limit on your water, or a larger size if they agree on it.