Controversial new regulations for the wild salmon season were removed from a Government website yesterday hours after they were posted.
The draft regulations for wild salmon and sea trout effectively accept a recommended ban on driftnet fishing for salmon from the end of this season.
The regulations were published on the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources website yesterday morning , and also stated that an independent working party is to be established to look at the implications.
But by 4pm yesterday, the regulations had been removed and a note stated that "this page has not been found" as the website had been "updated recently".
The regulations amend a proposed bag limit of 15 fish per angler to 10 fish per angler this season, and row back on a decision to allow catch and release of fish by anglers in eight districts to the end of September.
They were drawn up on the basis of advice from the Government's advisory group, the National Salmon Commission (NSC).
NSC chairman Joey Murrin said yesterday he was not informed of their publication.
A spokesman for the department was also unaware that the document had been put up on the website yesterday.
Carmel Lynn, an NSC member and representative of the Irish Salmon Traditional Netsmen's Association, said she was "shocked" at the way the information had been released.
Ms Lynn resigned as secretary of her Co Louth Fianna Fáil cumann last week over the Government's handling of the issue. She remains a member of the party.
Coastal salmon netsmen who have accepted a series of restrictions on their activity since 1996 had been promised a voluntary buy-out of licences.
They fear that a blanket ban on netting at the end of this season will give no guarantee of compensation.