SOME OF THE highest results ever obtained from a fish stock survey were recorded recently by teams from the central and western regional fisheries boards on Lough Carra, Co Mayo.
Dr Martin O’Grady, senior research officer, Central Fisheries Board, who led the teams, said: “We are delighted with results of the survey. They show that the trout stock is one of the largest and most balanced trout stocks ever recorded in a survey of an Irish trout lake in the last 30 years. Lake trout anglers should keep a close eye on Carra this year and in coming seasons.”
The successful enhancement of Carra’s spawning streams in the 1990s has led to greatly increased recruitment of juvenile trout to the lake. The rehabilitation work undertaken also resulted in a doubling of the adult stock, compared to levels of the 1970s.
The survey results are sure to provide a welcome boost to the local rural communities of south Mayo as Irish and overseas anglers look to visit the lough to fish. For further details, contact Dr. Gregory Forde, CEO, Western Regional Fisheries Board. Tel: 091-563118.
Trout tome launched
Meanwhile, at a gathering in the National Gallery, former minister of state at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Seán Power, officially launched Brown Trout in Ireland by Dr Martin O’Grady and published by the Central Fisheries Board.
The former minister said the “spectacular publication”, offers “a valuable insight into the diversity of Ireland’s wild trout stocks” and that its images instil in readers an “appreciation of the native species, and the measures that must be taken in its protection”.
The book includes a photographic catalogue of Ireland’s brown trout and their natural environment. O’Grady has drawn on his 30 years’ experience in researching the ecology and biology of the many different strains of brown trout found in Ireland.
For further information, contact Linda McKenny at 01-8842639 or e-mail: linda.mckenny@cfb.ie
Caught with carp
During a routine patrol of Lough Derg near Killaloe, officers from the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board (ShRFB) uncovered a serious incident regarding the importation of live fish. A group of French anglers were using live carp as bait for pike fishing.
During the investigation officers uncovered carp on fishing rods, in tanks both inside a boat and in containers tied onto another boat. Live carp were also held in a keep-net attached to a jetty and in their holiday accommodation.
The use of live bait in Ireland is illegal because of the possible introduction of disease and the need to restrict non-native fish movements. Of serious concern to the ShRFB is the fact that carp are not present in Lough Derg.
These carp have the potential to introduce diseases or, if established in the lough, upset
the balance of nature. Lough Derg is the third largest lake in Ireland and is rich in fish species such as trout, bream, pike and roach.
Eamon Cusack, ShRFB chief executive, said: “incidents like this are becoming all too common. It is imperative to make anglers and people aware of the consequences to our native fish of such actions.”
The board requests accommodation providers and anglers aware of such illegal activity, to contact ShRFB office at 061-300238.
** While fishing the south beach in Courtown, Co Wexford last Sunday evening, Seanie O’Keeffe caught the fish of a lifetime. After a 40-minute struggle on light line he brought in a magnificent specimen bass of over 5kg (11lb).
An onlooker remarked: “Eleven pun and a face like a bothy cat,” bringing laughter to the gathering in the Courtown Angling Centre.
During the evening Seanie observed two huge bass cruising in the shallows off the “Bradley Rocks” and his friend, Billy, took two smaller bass, both just under 2.3kg (5lb)
“Surprisingly, we had the little beach to ourselves. The secret is out now, I suppose,” he says.