Taxpayer's money is being used to pay the regional fishery boards to protect privately- owned rivers, according to a Mayo Fianna Fáil councillor.
Erris-based councillor Mr Frank Leneghan has condemned the practice.
"I live in Ballycroy and the river that runs through mine and my neighbours' farms is owned by a private consortium. This 21 miles of waterway, that boasts some of the finest salmon fishing in the country, contributes nothing to our local economy.
"No farmer here can fish that river yet the men who own it drive down in Mercedes and Volvos to walk across our lands to fish in their waterways and it's not fair," he claims.
"The reality is that taxpayers' money is being used to keep patrol men employed by the North West Regional Fisheries Board guarding these waters for private owners.
"I'm not afraid to say that people in this locality approach the riverbank adjacent to their own land in fear over the fishing season as the water is so tightly controlled and monitored.
The Owenduff and its tributary, the Tarshaughan river here in Ballycroy, should be major assets to this community but instead its in the hands of a few," he said.
Mr Leneghan is calling on the Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, to buy back this and other rivers. "If the State owned these resources then the people of the area could benefit too."
He continued: "If the State is not prepared to buy back the water, then no more taxpayers' money should go into enhancing them. If you want to protect private property, you hire security at a cost; you are not entitled to State funds."
More than a month ago, the village of Tarshaughan was cut off due to flood waters after the banks of the river collapsed in heavy rain. A local farmer, Mr Michael Leneghan, claims the private owners of the river take no responsibility for maintaining the banks.