Yesterday's developments that took place in the northeast in relation to poaching of fish are part of an ongoing problem that extends across the whole of Ireland, writes Derek Evans, Angling Correspondent
Until recently, Ireland was regarded as the premier location for coarse fishing, with tourist anglers flocking to lakes and rivers.
Today, stock levels of species including pike, roach, bream, tench and perch, have diminished significantly mainly due to the practice of the consumption of coarse fish.
Paddy Greene, angling inspector with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, said the method adopted by the poachers was mainly to use an "auto board", which is assembled from a strip of polystyrene with a series of baited hooks attached and pulled across the lake.
Netting and rod and line were also used, said Mr Greene.
Paul Bourke, angling information officer with the Central Fisheries Board, said while patrol staff were on 24-hour, seven-day duty, they also encouraged clubs and anglers to assist the fisheries boards and gardaí and report any illicit removal of coarse fish.
Last month, Minister of State for the Marine John Browne introduced two new conservation bylaws for the protection of pike and coarse fish.
Bylaw No 806 provides for:
• a bag limit of four fish in any one day;
• a ban on the killing of any coarse fish greater than 25cm in length;
• a ban on the sale of any coarse fish in Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland).
This provision will not apply to fishing tackle dealers and fish bait suppliers who have been granted an exemption from their respective regional fisheries board.
Bylaw No 805 provides for:
• a bag limit of one pike in any one day;
• a ban on the killing of any pike greater than 50cm in length;
• a ban on the possession of more than one whole pike greater than 50cm or more than 1.5kg of pike flesh. This provision does not apply to anyone storing pike or pike parts subject to conditions;
• a ban on the possession by anyone of more than 12 fish for use as bait subject to conditions.