Angling bye-law announced for salmon and sea trout in Burrishoole, Mayo

Friday, 30th June 2017: An angling bye-law has been announced which will focus on salmon and sea trout in Burrishoole, Co. Mayo. Sean Kyne, Minister of State with responsibility for Inland Fisheries, introduced the ‘Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Shramore (Burrishoole)(Catch and Release) Bye Law No951, 2017’ into operation on the 13th of June 2017.

The new bye-law provides for catch and release angling for salmon and sea trout which are over 40 centimetres in the Shramore (Burrishoole) system and applies to Lough Furnace and the seven arch bridge on the L5435 (old Newport Road). The bye-law is operative from the 14th of June until the 30th of September 2017 and provides for the use of single barbless hooks while prohibiting the use of worms as bait in angling for salmon and sea trout.

‘Catch and Release’ angling refers to the method of carefully handling any fish caught and immediately returning the fish alive to the water. This form of angling has a significant positive impact on the survival rate of released fish. In addition, salmon and sea trout caught by fly fishing using single barbless hooks have a greater chance of survival than fish caught on barbed hooks. Barbless hooks do less damage, are easier to remove and reduce handling time which can be an important factor influencing survival.

Salmon and sea trout are some of Ireland’s main wild fish species attracting domestic and overseas anglers alike. Angling contributes €836 million to the Irish economy annually and supports upwards of 11,000 jobs which are often in rural communities.

Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Our salmon and sea trout stocks are extremely valuable. These new measures at Shramore, Burrishoole, will allow us to introduce a number of important methods which will help us protect these populations into the future.”

Anglers are requested to familiarise themselves the details of the new bye-law which can be found on www.fisheriesireland.ie . Inland Fisheries Ireland has a confidential hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents - 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. This phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species.

ENDS

For media information:

Órla Sheils
Communications Manager
Inland Fisheries Ireland
E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
T: 01 8842673

Note to Editors:

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.