Two Limerick men have been found guilty of being in breach of fisheries legislation for using a net to illegally capture salmon.

John Quinlivan of Moyross, Limerick and Kieran Molloy of Ballynanty, Limerick were prosecuted for illegal salmon netting on the River Shannon at Monabraher, Limerick on 26 June 2021.

Both were convicted at Limerick District Court on 27 April this year and received fines of €400 and costs of €553 each.

Separately, Quinlivan was also convicted of fishing in the tailrace of Ardnacrusha Generating Station on 10 June 2021, in contravention of the rules of the ESB Lower Shannon Salmon Angling Permit. He was fined €300 and ordered to pay costs of €958 for this offence.

Fishing with a net in this area is illegal, and it is also illegal to catch and keep salmon by any method on the River Shannon as salmon numbers are significantly below levels required to sustain a healthy natural population.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) reminds members of the public that Atlantic salmon populations are under significant pressure from a range of factors, and any illegal fishing puts further pressure on a very important and iconic wild fish.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicions of illegal fishing activity, pollution or fish kills to IFI’s 24/7 confidential line at 0818 34 74 24.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has confirmed recent successful prosecutions against two industries operating at Lough Egish Food Park in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.

At Monaghan District Court, Judge Raymond Finnegan convicted Bio-marine Ingredients Ireland Limited and Stillorgan Trading Post Limited (trading as Swift Fine Foods) of water pollution offences.

Both companies pleaded guilty to the charges and were fined €500 each.

Bio-marine Ingredients Ireland Limited was ordered to pay an additional €3,249.78. Stillorgan Trading Post Limited (trading as Swift Fine Foods) was ordered to pay €2,329.78.

Commenting on the recent convictions, Dr Milton Matthews, North West River Basin District Director at IFI said: “Point-source pollution events such as these are entirely avoidable through good site management and regular visual checks of discharge outlet pipes.

“Unauthorised effluent discharge events can significantly impact the fish stocks and other aquatic life of receiving waters.”

A Cork fisherman has been found guilty of three breaches of fisheries legislation for illegal netting.

Paul O’Connell of Youghal, Co Cork had fixed a 336m net close to the mouth of the Munster Blackwater which was detected by a fisheries officer in the early hours of 4 July 2022.

O’Connell was convicted at Youghal District Court on Wednesday 12 April this year.

An operation involving local fisheries officers and a Delta RIB craft crewed by fisheries officers from the South Eastern River Basin District recovered the net.

The court heard that O’Connell contacted Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to enquire if officers had seized the net and to request its return. He then met Fisheries Inspector Michael Fanning the following day to identify the net as his property while under caution.

O’Connell pleaded guilty to three breaches of the 1959 Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 and Bye Law No. 857 of 2009 and three other charges were withdrawn.

The court imposed fines totalling €4,000 and the net was forfeited.

O’Connell, who had a previous conviction for illegal netting in the same area in 2013, also received a two-month custodial sentence and was ordered to pay costs of €500 for the offence of placing a fixed engine at the mouth of any river. He was granted leave to appeal the penalty.

Welcoming the conviction, Sean Long, director of the South-Western River Basin District at IFI said: “I would like to acknowledge the vigilance and swift efforts of our fisheries Officers in recovering the net and preventing it from doing further damage to salmon, sea trout, and sea bass stocks.

“It is one less barrier to migration on the Munster Blackwater and is significant for conservation-minded anglers and the communities the length of the Blackwater relying on angling generated income.

“Members of the public can report instances of such illegal fishing, water pollution, or fish kills by calling Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24.”

The deadline to enter the third online lottery for ‘brown tags’ for wild salmon angling on the Lower River Lee is 5pm on Thursday 18 May.

A further 45 brown tags are being allocated on Monday 22 May, following the first lottery for 45 tags in January and the second for 40 tags in March. A total of 180 brown tags are being made available for the season via a series of online lotteries.

Under brown tag regulations, an angler who wishes to ‘harvest’ a wild salmon or sea trout greater than 40cm and keep it must attach a brown tag as well as a standard blue tag to the fish.

These essential identification rules for salmon angling are in force until the 2023 season closes on 30 September.

Anglers with a 2023 rod licence not allocated a brown tag are only permitted to fish for salmon and sea trout greater than 40cm on a ‘catch and release’ basis on the Lower River Lee, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody.

Commenting on the requirements, Sean Long, director of the South West River Basin District at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said: “Brown tag regulations for salmon and sea trout are required on the Lower River Lee in Cork to conserve stocks and avoid accidental over-harvesting.

“Where there is a modest harvestable surplus with a risk of over exploitation, this brown gill tag system is introduced to closely monitor the angling quotas.

“The numbers of wild Atlantic salmon returning to our rivers is declining and the risk of over-fishing puts stocks in further jeopardy. Conservation measures such as brown tags are necessary and very effective.”

Anglers interested in entering the second draw are being asked to apply online between now and 5pm on Monday 20 March only. For more see the IFI website.

Two men have been convicted of possessing 16 illegal salmon nets near the River Drowes in Co Donegal.

Philip and Eoghan McCluskey of Bundoran, Co Donegal received fines and costs totalling €6,000 in relation to the offence, which occurred on 25 July 2021 on the Drowes River in Magheracar, Bundoran.

Among the items in the father’s and son’s possession on the night were two large holdall bags which contained 16 nets, wooden pegs, 20 empty coal sacks, balaclavas, a knife, throw line, binoculars and a camouflage jacket which was covered in wild salmon scales.

The case was heard at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday 21 April.

The court heard that Inland Fisheries Ireland’s (IFI) Mobile Support Unit (MSU) for fisheries protection, with local fisheries staff, discovered evidence of possible illegal activity taking place on the lower Drowes River.

The MSU, working together with local fisheries officers, carried out covert surveillance of the river which led to the defendants being apprehended.

Commenting on the case, Francis O’Donnell, chief executive of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said: “This illegal operation was halted by a professional team of fisheries officers through a significant covert operation.

“The two men had 16 nets in their possession when caught, and 20 empty coal bags to place fish into. IFI was established in 2010 and in that time there has never been a seizure of such a quantity of nets used for the illegal capture of fish in fresh water. The potential impact of these nets on the River Drowes would have been catastrophic for the salmon population.

“IFI will not tolerate this behaviour on any Irish river. We will continue to prosecute those who persist in poaching. I would like to commend all our Fisheries Officers for their commitment in dealing with this type of ecological crime.”

Welcoming the judgement, Dr Milton Matthews, director of IFI’s North West River Basin District said: “Salmon stocks have never been under more pressure from illegal fishing, habitat loss and climate change.

“The River Drowes represents one of the last strongholds for Atlantic salmon in the Northwest of Ireland. The apprehension of these offenders and seizure of this quantity of poaching equipment represents a significant boost to safeguarding this valuable natural resource.”

A former salmon draft net licence holder has been found guilty of two breaches of fisheries legislation when he was found to be in possession of 13 untagged salmon in the boot of his vehicle.

Liam Whyte of Ardara, Co Donegal was convicted in relation to an illegal fishing incident which occurred on 10 July 2017.

The case was first heard in Glenties District Court on 27 February 2019 where Whyte was convicted and fined €1,300 for possession of the salmon,and fined costs of €750.

In light of previous convictions, the court imposed a sentence of three months’ imprisonment which was suspended for two years, on condition that there be no further convictions under the Fisheries Acts during that time.

Whyte appealed the ruling to Donegal Circuit Court and the case was heard on 14 March 2023.

As Whyte had not come to the attention of the courts in the intervening period, the court waived the three-month suspended sentence and instead convicted Whyte on two counts of breaches in fisheries legislation with fines amounting to €2,800 and costs of €979.63.

Commenting on the outcome of the case, Dr Milton Matthews, director of the North Western River Basin District at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said: “I commend the ongoing vigilance of our fisheries protection officers who conduct extensive surveillance operations throughout the year to ensure that licensed salmon draft net holders comply fully with the strict tagging and quota regulations.

“Any salmon killed in excess of the quota identified for any particular salmon fishery directly impacts on the long-term sustainability of that salmon fishery.

“It is critical for all stakeholders to strictly abide by tagging and quota regulations to safeguard the future of these valuable fisheries. Members of the public can report incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and fish kills, to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s 24-hour confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has urged angling enthusiasts and watercraft owners to help stop the spread of invasive species by carefully checking, cleaning and drying their boats and equipment when travelling from one waterway to another this Easter.

In particular, the State body responsible for the day-to-day management of our inland fisheries resource is asking users of the River Shannon and its tributaries to take action to halt the proliferation of non-native species that may cling to crafts as the latter move along the waters.

IFI is recommending that anglers — and motorised and non-motorised watercraft owners/users — do not move boats or craft from the Shannon and its lakes, tributaries and interconnected canals to other waterbodies.

Francis O’Donnell, chief executive of IFI said: “Many people will take to the Shannon and other waters during the Easter holidays. We are appealing to users to be vigilant and proactive in reducing the advance of invasive species in inland Irish waters.

“We are asking users, in so far as is practical, not to move their boats between waterbodies. Our preference is that no movement of any watercraft from the Shannon and its tributaries is undertaken.

“However, if people must do so, then to please make time to disinfect their boats and fishing equipment. This will curb the spread of harmful organisms such as the quagga mussel, which was first detected on the Shannon in 2021.

“The growth of certain alien species has a dramatic contamination impact on the watercourse. Aquatic invasive species, either flora or fauna, are detrimental to Ireland’s native fish populations and their delicate habitats and ecosystems.

‘Users should always assume they are going from a contaminated waterway to clean waterway and take precautions to ensure they don’t carry any alien species with them’

“Users should always assume they are going from a contaminated waterway to clean waterway and take precautions to ensure they don’t carry any alien species with them,” O’Donnell said.

There are currently 10 key aquatic invasive species in the River Shannon, according to latest research from the Invasive Ecology Laboratory at the School of Biology and Environmental Science at UCD.

Anglers, boat owners, cruisers, sailing and recreational waterways users on kayaks, canoes or jet-skis are being asked to implement preventative biosecurity measures in line with Check, Clean, Dry protocols, such as:

• Checking craft, equipment, and clothing/footwear after leaving the water for mud, aquatic animals or plant material – removing anything found and leaving it at the site
• Cleaning equipment, clothing and footwear, as soon as possible – using hot water – paying attention to ropes, bilges, trailers, the inside of boats and areas that are damp and hard to access
• Drying and draining all parts of the craft/ trailer and equipment/clothing before leaving the site, and allowing to air dry for at least 48 hours

Members of the public who encounter invasive species can report sightings via Invasives.ie. IFI is also requesting that people help protect and conserve fisheries resources on the Shannon and elsewhere in Ireland over Easter by reporting incidents or suspicions of illegal fishing to its confidential phone line at 0818 34 74 24.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched an ‘all abilities’ accessible angling facility in West Cork to enable wheelchair users to fish safely and conveniently.

The bespoke €106,000 fishing platform at Shepperton Lake, 3km from Skibbereen, provides access to wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility to a section of the popular angling destination.

Up to four wheelchair anglers at a time can be accommodated at the outdoor facility which consists of a long boardwalk and a large accessible steel stand, a new picnic area and parking for six vehicles.

The initiative was co-funded by IFI and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Speaking at the opening of the new platform, John Twomey, disheries inspector with IFI said: “The demand for accessible and safe infrastructure for wheelchair users — and those with reduced mobility — at Shepperton Lake was obvious, and we are looking forward to seeing many anglers enjoy our brand new facility.

Deirdre Harrington with John Twomey of IFI on the new accessible angling platform

“We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the Irish Wheelchair Association on this project and are very pleased the amenity has been constructed. We can’t wait for the new stand to open tomorrow, and for it to be used by people of all abilities.”

On Friday (31 March) IFI hosted members of the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonakilty, Co Cork for the official opening of the new amenity, following an extensive programme of works to transform the site to support inclusive angling.

Sinéad Burke, service support officer for the Irish Wheelchair Association said: “Our service users are thrilled with the new fishing podium at Shepperton Lake and will be able to enjoy a long season of fishing from now on.

“Getting out in nature and having access to a tailor-made resource like this will be extremely beneficial to the wellbeing of our service users. We would like to thank the incredible team of IFI who went above and beyond to enhance the fishing experience of our service users. We feel very grateful to work in partnership with the team from IFI.”

IFI has collaborated with the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonakilty for the past seven years and in that period angling day trips to Shepperton Lake have increased in popularity among the latter’s members, the organisations say.

Three men have been found guilty of illegally fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna off Baltimore Harbour in West Cork.

Brian Hassett from Monkstown, Co Cork; Barry Keohane from Blackrock, Co Cork; and Conor Jones of Kildinan, Co Cork were found guilty of illegally fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna in waters south of Baltimore Harbour on 10 October 2022.

All three entered guilty pleas at Skibbereen District Court at a hearing on Tuesday 14 March.

The court heard evidence from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) officer David Lordan, who said he observed the men using a spreader-bar lure system for around 70 minutes before their vessel entered Baltimore Harbour.

Despite an application for a return of the seized fishing gear, the court granted Forfeiture Orders in respect of all items seized.

Details were also presented of the importance of protecting Atlantic bluefin tuna and the research programme Tuna CHART, a catch-and-release tagging programme gathering scientific data through licensed recreational charters since 2019.

Hassett was found guilty of a breach of Section 285(a) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 and fined €1,000. He was also found guilty of breaches of Article 4 (a) and 4 (b) of Bye Law 981 of 2020, which were taken into consideration.

Keohane and Jones were found guilty of breaches of Article 4 (a) and 4 (b) of the 2020 Bye Law, and both men received the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act on bonds of €5,000 each for a period of three years.

Commenting after the case, Sean Long, director of the South-Western River Basin District at IFI said: “I want to praise the vigilance of the fisheries officers involved in this operation.

“Illegal fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna jeopardises the potential future for sustainable catch-and-release angling fishery, currently valued at €1 million annually, for professional skippers and for rural coastal communities.

“I continue to encourage members of the public to report incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and fish kills, to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s 24-hour confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched a public consultation on its proposed Moy Gravels Replenishment Project on the Owenaher River in Sessuegilroy, Co Sligo.

In order to improve the spawning habitat for salmonids in this area, it is proposed to place spawning gravels in two locations in the river extending a total distance of 320m.

IFI says that in the absence of mitigation the project is likely to have “a significant effect” on the River Moy Special Area of Conversation, a Natura 2000 site, and under EU rules is required to carry out a public consultation before deciding on whether the project can be permitted or not.

This public consultation opened on Tuesday 28 March and closes on Monday 8 May at 4pm.

Submissions may be made within this timeframe on the potential impact that the project may have on European sites by email to [email protected] or by post to: The River Moy Catchment Manager, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Ardnaree House, Ballina, Co Mayo. Submissions should clearly state that they are in response to this public consultation.

For further details, including a link to the relevant Natural impact statement, see the IFI website HERE.