Victory for IFI in illegal salmon fishing case
Press Release 20th April 2011
VICTORY FOR INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND IN ILLEGAL SALMON FISHING CASE
Inland Fisheries Ireland has successfully won a court case against Mr. Pat Smith of 15 Seaview, Annagassan, Co. Louth for illegal salmon fishing. He was fined €600 and ordered to pay total costs of €880 to Inland Fisheries Ireland in Drogheda District Court on 14th April last.
Mr. Pat Smith was found to be illegally fishing in September 2010. Fisheries officers from the Dundalk district apprehended him with a fixed net at the shores of Annagassan which is the tidal section of the Dee and Glyde rivers, and initiated court proceedings. Both sides were represented in court and Mr. Hamill fought the charges being brought against him. Judge William J. Hamill convicted Mr. Smith under Section 97 of the 1959 Fisheries Act, for using a fixed engine which was capable of taking salmon or sea trout and under Section 301 for refusing to give his name and address when lawfully demanded.
In 2006 Inland Fisheries Ireland introduced a series of conservation measures in order to combat the decline in salmon numbers. The interceptory mixed stock fishery for salmon ceased throughout Ireland and netsmen who availed of the Hardship Scheme were duly compensated for their loss of the salmon fishery. At the peak of salmon production in the 1970’s, approximately 3,000 salmon were caught commercially in Dundalk waters. This declined to an all time low in 2006 when only 225 were caught in the entire Dundalk bay area. Annagassan would have been a traditional location for poaching salmon and sea trout in the past.
Consequently all the rivers on the East coast with the exception of the River Fane were closed for salmon fishing. Only in 2011 has the Castletown river opened for salmon fishing based on a quota and the Glyde river is open for catch and release only. The River Dee remains closed for salmon fishing.
Inland Fisheries Ireland have a freefone number to enable members of the general public to report poaching and pollution incidences - 1890 34 74 24 or for easier recall 1890 FISH 24. This phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidences of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species.
It is hoped that these measures will preserve our stock of Atlantic salmon, which are not only a valuable resource for our economy, but also an important part of our natural heritage as salmon and trout have been running our rivers since the last ice age. Anglers also need to continue to be vigilant to report any illegal fishing incidences to Inland Fisheries Ireland.
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Media enquiries
Josie Mahon,
Inland Fisheries Ireland,
15A Main Street, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202
email: josie.mahon@fisheriesireland.info
Website: www.fishinginireland.info
Notes to Editor
Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.
Inland Fisheries Ireland replaces the Central and seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
