Angling Notes: Shark angling in Irish coastal waters has diminished greatly over the last two years and if the trend continues it will be a cause for concern, according to Peter Green, sea angling officer with the Central Fisheries Board.
The volume of fish, as experienced in previous years, is simply not there, he said.
An over-abundance of mackerel during July and August coupled with possible over commercial fishing for the species are cited as the main reasons for a poor angling season. While tag-returns are incomplete for this year, a figure of 140 reported catches means a dismal increase of 50 fish on 2004 figures - the lowest since records began in 1970.
Given that catch returns averaged between 500 and 1,500 during the 1990s, it is easy to see why the alarm bells are ringing. Shark angling was a major tourist attraction. European and UK anglers flocked to well-known ports including Ballycotton, Baltimore, Kinsale, Clifden and Downings. Today, sadly, there exists a distinct drop in demand.
Blue shark (Prionace glauca) tend to favour Irish waters and the north Atlantic drift offers an area from Co Wexford to Co Donegal most likely to benefit from shark-infested waters. Most of these fish average 22.6kg and a staggering 97 per cent are females. Given the fact females do not mature until 45kg, fears of a depletion in stocks are justified.
"I remember shark fishing with the late Kevin Linnane off Kinsale in 1972 and we tagged and released 40 blues in one day," Green said. The best day this year amounted to six fish.
Conservation remains a high priority and most, if not all, blue shark are tagged and released by skippers. Specimen details (fish over 45kg) tend to be unrealistic as boat operators and anglers refuse to kill specimens, opting instead to release fish unharmed. There were no specimens recorded last year.
An example of the tagging scheme relates to charter skipper Nick Dent, operating out of Baltimore, who in 2001 "jumbo tagged" a blue shark which was later recaptured 700 miles south of Newfoundland in 2004. The fish had travelled some 2,400 miles and had been at liberty for 844 days. The Irish record blue shark was captured off Achill Head, Co Mayo by J McMonagle in October 1959 and weighed 93.4kg.
In stark contrast, tope angling - tope is a close relative of the shark - experienced one of its best years for a decade, according to Green. The figures speak for themselves - 292 tagged and released in 2003, 238 last year and 350 so far this season.
The east coast from Culdaff in Co Donegal to Kilmore in Co Wexford benefited most with hundreds more caught and released by anglers. While fishing in Dundalk Bay, Joe Mulholland managed 21 tope in one day.
• Derravaragh Anglers Club is holding a major Christmas pike competition on the lake tomorrow week (Tuesday, 27th December). Check-in commences at 8am from Donore Shore in time for fishing 10am to 3.30pm. Boats can be hired from Paul Smith (044-71500) or Sally Meehan (044-71152).
First prize will be €1,000; 2nd €500 and 3rd €300 for heaviest pike. Entry fee is €100 for two anglers per boat. Further details are available from Paddy Ward at 086-336 1013.
• The popular Kilcoole beach in Co Wicklow failed to live up to expectations for the fourth and final leg of the Leinster Under-16s and Under-21s League with a total of 40 fish dispersed among 16 anglers. Small whiting, dabs and juvenile bass made up catches.
Overall winners to make up the Leinster team to compete in the inter-provincial championships and national qualifiers in Connaught in April 2006, will be: U-16s - G Doran, A Boyce, E Gasparo, J Clancy and C Doyle; U-21s - P Whelan, D Quigley, P Forrester, R Smith and M Brady.
Around the fisheries
Corkagh Park Fisheries, Dublin: Catch of the week went to Simon Howard with 21 trout to 2.7kg and Declan McAllorum and Barry Mellon both managed "double-figures" of 5.4kg and 4.5kg, respectively. A white muddler proved best lure. Winter group bookings, and fishing vouchers as Christmas presents, are available at the fishery. Contact Godfrey at 01-459 2622 or email fishing@ireland.com
Maynooth Fisheries, Co Kildare: Daniel O'Kelly stormed home with two fine carp of 11.6kg and 6.7kg to win the Abbey Anglers' final competition on the weekend of December 10th. Spare a thought for Damian Richards who landed a massive common of 13.4kg and 6.8kg mirror, but unfortunately was not in the competition! More than 30 members of Clane Anglers turned out for the annual Christmas competition on Sunday, December 10th. The winner was Paul Burke.
For further details visit www.maynoothfisheries.com or telephone 01-6293203.