Press Release

Inland fisheries Ireland seize illegal nets and fish caught at sea

Media Release

Inland fisheries Ireland seize illegal nets and fish caught at sea

 

Public and catering hospitality sectors warned about the trading of illegally caught salmon or sea trout

Monday, 20th of July 2020: Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to remind members of the public and the catering and hospitality industries that it is illegal to purchase or possess illegally caught salmon or sea trout. Only salmon or sea trout that have been caught by licenced commercial salmon fishermen may be sold and must bear a colour coded green or white gill tag, or for wild imported salmon, a yellow tail tag. Anglers are prohibited from selling salmon or sea trout caught by rod and line, rod caught salmon must have a blue tag affixed but cannot be sold. Fishery officers carry out regular inspections of premises to deter the illegal trade of salmon and sea trout.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s fisheries protection officers boarded a fishing boat off the Cork coast and seized 98kg of salmon and 256m of illegal net. The seizure was secured on Monday the 13th of July 2020 by Inland Fisheries Ireland staff who are based in the Cork district of the South Western River Basin District. Unfortunately similar seizures have taken place in Donegal and Mayo in recent days.

salmon seized 13.07.20

Dr Greg Forde, Deputy CEO and Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “We wish to highlight the importance of protecting migrating salmon and sea trout stocks against illegal fishing activity. The risk of targeted netting of salmon at sea remains the highest priority for our protection staff, who have seized 15 nets in the South Western River Basin region so far this season. Nationally a total of 91 nets, measuring 5,300 metres have been seized to date since the beginning of the year. The value of prompt and accurate information from concerned members of the public who report instances of suspected illegal activity or pollution alerts cannot be overstated. Information may be passed directly to local Inland Fisheries Ireland staff or by phoning our confidential Hotline number on 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24.”

 

ENDS

 

For further information:

Sadhbh O’Neill

Communications Assistant

Inland Fisheries Ireland

E: sadhbh.oneill@fisheriesireland.ie

T: 01 8842632

 

Notes to Editors

About Inland Fisheries Ireland

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.

Tagging regulations only apply to Ireland’s precious wild salmon and sea trout stocks. These stocks are in decline and subject to rigorous management and protection.