Trout anglers want minister to solve pike problem in western lakes
THE Connacht Angling Council has given a warm welcome to the announcement by the minister responsible for Inland Fisheries, Seán Kyne TD, that efforts are to be made to rehabilitate trout and salmon populations in the Owenriff River, a major tributary of Lough Corrib.
However, it has stressed that the minister must now put further pressure on Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to deal with the threat posed by pike to wild brown trout in the great western Loughs of Mask (Mayo), Carra (Mayo), Conn (Mayo), Cullin (Mayo), Arrow (Sligo/Roscommon) and Sheelin (Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Longford) and Lough Corrib itself.
Connacht Angling Council chairperson, Martin Kinneavy, said: “The measures to protect and restore trout stocks in the Owenriff Catchment, which have been impacted by recent introductions of pike, were promised last November. The Connacht Angling Council warmly welcomes the Minister’s announcement that he is committed to protecting and rehabilitating the Owenrriff system.
“The minister has said that IFI will be commencing a focused and intensive effort aimed at reducing the numbers of pike in the Owenriff catchment over the coming year, and that the project will reduce pike numbers to a level where they are not impacting significantly on salmonid stocks.
“Minister Kyne also emphasised that, in tandem with the stock management plan, IFI is also preparing an Owenriff Fish Population Rehabilitation Plan which aims to ensure trout stocks and habitats are restored and protected, thereby providing the best opportunities for a successful trout population.
“The Connacht Angling Council continues to seek undertakings that the minister will also deal with the threat posed by pike to wild brown trout in the great western Loughs of Mask (Mayo), Carra (Mayo), Conn (Mayo), Cullin (Mayo), Arrow (Sligo/Roscommon) and Sheelin (Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Longford), as well as Lough Corrib.
“Minister Kyne must do all in his power to ensure that these world famous Irish wild brown trout fisheries are protected by law from pike so they can reach their full trout angling potential, and that stream enhancement programmes are also put in place.
“Pike are far more prolific breeders than trout and a pike will eat as much as 20kgs of wild brown trout in western fisheries per-year. West of Ireland wild brown trout waters were internationally recognised as the best in the world and wild brown trout angling is worth €148 million per-year to the Irish economy, the bulk of that money is spent in the west, where, as they both the minister and Inland Fisheries Ireland are well aware, it is badly needed.
“It is the view of the Connacht Angling Council that designated wild brown trout fisheries should be managed exclusively for the benefit of wild brown trout. West of Ireland wild brown trout fisheries are unique eco-systems and need to be protected as such by law; otherwise, we are staring at continuing severe damage to wild brown trout stocks in this region.”