No. 5 or Cork Fisheries District, Lower River Lee, (Sea Trout & Brown Trout Angling) Bye Law

No. 5 or Cork Fisheries District, Lower River Lee, (Sea Trout & Brown Trout Angling) Bye Law

Inland Fisheries Ireland is seeking submissions from interested parties in respect of a proposed Bye-law which would set the annual close season commencement date for angling for sea trout and brown trout to October 1st on the lower River Lee and all its tributaries.

Why is this bye-law being considered?

The Close Season for salmon begins on 1st October but the Close Season for sea trout and brown trout does not begin until 13th October. The potential to catch salmon during the salmon angling close season when using ‘trout-type’ angling gear, whether by accident or design, is considered an unacceptable risk given the current decline in salmon stocks.

All submissions must be received in writing. Please be aware that all submissions received by Inland Fisheries Ireland will be published on its website www.fisheriesireland.ie. In addition Inland Fisheries Ireland is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and therefore has to consider any request made to it under that Act.

If you consider that any part of your submission would be subject to any of the statutory exclusions under that Act please so indicate in your submission, specifying under which exemption you believe the content should be excluded.

Inland Fisheries Ireland will make every effort to comply fully with the EU Regulation 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’)

Submissions should be marked ‘Public consultation – Lower Lee’ and be submitted by post to: Inland Fisheries Ireland, Sunnyside House, Macroom, Co. Cork, P12 X602 or by email to: lowerleebyelaw@fisheriesireland.ie

The Public Consultation period will run for 21 days and the closing date for receipt of submissions is 5pm on Friday 7th February 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does this Bye-Law do?

This new Bye-law will extend the commencement date of the annual close season for angling for sea trout and brown trout to October 1st on the lower River Lee and all its tributaries.

1. What areas will this Bye-law affect ?

This Bye-law applies to all the waters of the River Lee downstream of the dam, known as Inniscarra Dam, located between the townlands of Curraleigh and Curraghbeg, both in the barony of East Muskerry, County Cork, and to all the waters of all the tributaries which flow into that part of the River Lee downstream of that dam.

This new Bye-law will affect sea trout and brown trout fishing on the Lower Lee downstream of Inniscarra dam and its tributaries, including the Rivers Bride, Shournagh, Martin and Glashaboy.

1. Why is this Bye-Law necessary?

The Close Season for salmon on the Lee begins on the 1st of October but the Close Season for sea trout and brown trout does not begin until the 13th of October. The potential to catch salmon during the salmon angling close season when using ‘trout-type’ angling gear, whether by accident or design, is considered an unacceptable risk given the current decline in salmon stocks.

1. Who is affected by this Bye-Law?

This bye law will affect rod & line fishermen who fish for sea trout and brown trout in the designated waters.

1. What species of fish are protected by this Bye-Law?

This Bye-law is to protect salmon.

1. What about the anglers that fish for other species on the designated waters?

Anglers who fish in these waters to target other species (e.g. coarse fish) will not be affected by this Bye-law as it relates only to sea trout and brown trout.

However any sea trout or brown trout captured as by-catch could not be taken, and would have to be returned alive to the water.

1. Will it be a permanent Bye-Law?

Yes, this will be a permanent Bye-law.

1. How can I make a submission to the process?

All submissions must be received in writing.

Submissions should be marked ‘Public consultation – Lower Lee’ and be submitted by post to: Inland Fisheries Ireland, Sunnyside House, Macroom, Co. Cork, P12 X602 or by email to: lowerleebyelaw@fisheriesireland.ie

The Public Consultation period will run until 5pm on Friday 7th February 2020.

1. Will my submission be made public?

All submissions received by Inland Fisheries Ireland will be published on its website www.fisheriesireland.ie. In addition Inland Fisheries Ireland is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and therefore has to consider any request made to it under that Act.

If you consider that any part of your submission would be subject to any of the statutory exclusions under that Act please so indicate in your submission, specifying under which exemption you believe the content should be excluded.

Inland Fisheries Ireland will make every effort to comply fully with the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003 and the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC.