Waterways Ireland has scheduled an additional public meeting on proposed revisions to the Shannon Navigation and Canals Bye-Laws for Thursday 21 September in Mullingar.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, members of the public and interested parties are invited to have their say on the proposed changes by making a submission to the public consultation which opened on Monday 19 June.

The consultation covers the Shannon Navigation (including the Shannon-Erne Waterway), the Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation. The consultation runs until Monday 2 October 2023.

Following the series of public meetings in June and July, one more will be held at the Mullingar Park Hotel on Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath on Thursday 21 September from 6pm to 9pm, where Waterways Ireland staff will provide information on the revisions and feedback can be given.

The draft bye-laws and explanatory notes are available to download from the Waterways Ireland website, which also has a list of public libraries were members of the public can review the documents in person.

Feedback is welcome using the link on the website. Alternatively you can email your submission to [email protected] or send by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

Following the public consultation, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways will review the submissions, make any necessary changes to the bye-laws and submit them to the minister for approval to proceed.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is seeking submissions in relation to a proposal to reduce the daily bag limit of four brown trout to two brown trout on the rivers Clare, Abbert, Dalgan, Grange and Sinking in the Galway Fishery District.

The current daily bag limit of four brown trout for these rivers is included in the Western Fisheries Region Conservation of Trout Bye-law no. 840, 2008.

Having reviewed the existing bye-law, IFI propose to put in place a separate new bye-law for the aforementioned rivers.

A copy of the existing and proposed new bye-law are available for public inspection at the IFI offices in Galway. The draft bye-law is also available on the IFI website.

The public consultation period will run for the next four weeks and the closing date for receipt of submissions is 5pm on Thursday 14 September.

Submissions should be marked “Public Consultation – Clare River brown trout bag limit” and be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to:

The Director,
Inland Fisheries Ireland,
Teach Breac,
Earl’s Island,
Galway, H91 E2A2

A new public consultation on the long-term management of the Great Western Lakes is now under way.

It follows last year’s consultation on the first draft of the plan by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The plan covers the seven lakes that comprise the Great Western Lakes: Lough Corrib, Lough Mask and Lough Carra in Co Galway, Lough Conn and Lough Cullin in Co Mayo, Lough Arrow in counties Sligo and Roscommon, and Lough Sheelin in Cavan, Meath and Westmeath.

IFI says it has developed a long-term management plan for these lakes to address many of the factors currently impacting on the ecological wellbeing of native fish stocks and their habitats.

A series of open evenings were held at six locations in Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Cavan last autumn to allow stakeholders to meet local staff to find out more about the plan. An online webinar was also hosted by senior management in IFI to allow any stakeholders to put questions or queries to help inform them to make a submission.

Also in 2022, IFI screened the plan for appropriate assessment and carried out strategic environmental assessment scoping.

Following the completion of the initial public consultation process, IFI reviewed the feedback provided by statutory consultees, the public and other stakeholders.

The plan was then revised to take account of the feedback where appropriate. Environmental assessments of the revised plan were then carried out; these comprised a full Natura Impact Statement and Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report.

In accordance with environmental regulations, IFI is now holding public consultations on the Natura Impact Statement and Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report for the Long Term Management Plan for the Great Western Lakes. The consultation will be open until 4pm on Monday 31 July.

IFI says feedback received will help inform its decision on whether or not to adopt the plan.

All relevant documents are available on the IFI website and physical copies can be viewed (and purchased for €50 per document) at its Galway, Limerick and Ballina offices during office hours. Copies can also be viewed at IFI’s Lough Sheelin office by appointment with the Shannon River Basin District Office in Limerick.

Members of the public can make submissions on the plan, the Natura Impact Statement and/or the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report by email to [email protected] or by post to:

WLMP Consultation
Inland Fisheries Ireland
3044 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus
Dublin D24 CK66

The submission should clearly state whether it refers to the plan, the Natura Impact Statement and/or the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report. Submissions received after the closing date of 4pm on Monday 31 July will not be considered.

Waterways Ireland is inviting members of the public and interested parties to have their say on proposed revisions to the Shannon Navigation and Canals Bye-Laws by making a submission to a public consultation, which opened on Monday (19 June).

The consultation covers the Shannon Navigation (including the Shannon-Erne Waterway), the Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation. The consultation runs until Monday 2 October 2023.

Public meetings are planned where Waterways Ireland staff will provide information on the revisions and feedback can be given:

• North Shannon: The Bush Hotel, Main Street, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, Monday 26 June 6-9pm
• South Shannon: Killaloe Spa Hotel, Kincora Harbour, Killaloe, Co Clare, Tuesday 27 June 6-9pm
• Dublin: Maldron Hotel, 98-107 Pearse Street, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, Wednesday 28 June 6-9pm
• Barrow: Seven Oaks Hotel, Athy Road, Carlow, Co Carlow, Monday 3 July 6-9pm
• Royal Canal: Mullingar Park Hotel, Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Tuesday 4 July 6-9pm
• Grand Canal: Tullamore Court Hotel, O’Moore Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly, Wednesday 5 July 6-9pm
• Mid Shannon: IWAI HQ, Dunrovin, Coosan, Athlone, Co Westmeath, Monday 10 July 6-9pm

The draft bye-laws and explanatory notes are available to download from the Waterways Ireland website, which also has a list of public libraries were members of the public can review the documents in person.

Feedback is welcome using the link on the website. Alternatively you can email your submission to [email protected] or send by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

Following the public consultation, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways will review the submissions, make any necessary changes to the bye-laws and submit them to the minister for approval to proceed.

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.

A public consultation on the Loughs Agency’s angling and fisheries improvement strategy and action plans for Foyle and Carlingford has been launched.

The consultation, which will run for a period of eight weeks, will provide members of the public with the opportunity to share their thoughts on the agency’s plans for improving angling and fisheries products in these catchment areas.

Three informative, data-led documents have been drafted by the Loughs Agency, which aim to provide a baseline for how best to implement changes that will have a real and lasting impact on angling and fisheries in the coming years.

These documents are the Fisheries and Angling Improvement Strategy for Foyle and Carlingford 2022-2030; Angling Action Plan for Foyle and Carlingford 2022-2030; and Fisheries Improvement Action Plan for Foyle and Carlingford 2022-2030.

A stakeholder consultation process was held in late 2022, which provided angling clubs and members of the angling community with an early chance to have their say. This feedback has since been incorporated into the latest drafts.

Loughs Agency will be holding a series of information sessions throughout the catchment areas in April. Agency staff will be present at these to answer questions on the documents, while also assisting with the feedback process. The sessions will take place as follows:

• Loughs Agency HQ, Prehen, Monday 17 April from 6pm-9pm
• Mellon Country Inn, Omagh, Tuesday 18 April from 6pm-9pm
• Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, Monday 24 April from 6pm-9pm
• Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Tuesday 25 April from 6pm-9pm

Alternatively, those interested in having their say on these strategy documents can do so in their own time by completing the survey which can be found on Loughs Agency’s website.

Sharon McMahon, Loughs Agency chief executive said: “This public consultation will allow us to ensure all views are taken into consideration as we aim to deliver an outcome-orientated approach to fisheries and angling improvement.

“The feedback obtained from this process will help in the development of a clear strategic pathway, ensuring that these resources are improved for all.

“I would like to thank the agency staff who have contributed to developing these documents with a focus on knowledge, stewardship and sustainability. This work will help in the delivery of meaningful changes to fisheries and angling in Foyle and Carlingford.”

The draft documents as well as a link to the survey can also be found on the Consultations section of the Loughs Agency website.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is seeking submissions in relation to a proposal to restrict the commercial salmon draft net season on the Loughros Estuary in Co Donegal in 2023 to fishing between 1 and 21 July.

The proposed changes, along the lines of last year’s consultation, are to reflect the limited overall salmon quota available for 2023 and the number of commercial draft nets available.

An overall surplus of 283 salmon has been advised for 2023 to be divided between the commercial draft net and recreational angling sectors.

The commercial draft net season for the fishery normally opens on 12 May and closes on 31 July.

Any person wishing to make observations on the proposed regulation may make submissions before 5pm on Thursday 9 March, either by email to [email protected] or to the address below:

Loughros Estuary Commercial Salmon Draft Net Fishing Season 2023 Public Consultation,
Inland Fisheries Ireland,
Station Road,
Ballyshannon,
Co Donegal,
F94 WV76

Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue is launching a consultation process on a review of the 2012 Herring Management Policy.

It will focus on the quantity of herring set aside from the southern North-West herring stock (Herring 6A South) for smaller/inshore fishing vessels, which is currently 5% of the quota for vessels under 20m in length that did not have a qualifying track record for the fishery.

The minister received a request from the chairs of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) and North Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum (RIFF) for a review of the 6A South Herring Policy of 2012, in relation to inshore vessels.

“I have carefully considered the request from the NIFF and RIFF and I am satisfied that there are sufficient changed circumstances to justify a limited review of the 2012 policy,” the minister said.

“Inshore fishing families are the linchpin of rural coastal communities and it is important that we continue to seek ways to improve fishing opportunities for this sector.”

Minister McConalogue continued: “When the 5% provision was set in the 2012 Herring Management Policy, it reflected an expectation that Ireland would have a reasonable quota available to it, as had been the case in the years prior to the setting of the policy.

"I am open to considering amendments to this part of the policy so that inshore vessels have a reasonable allocation available to them when the quota available is low, taking into account that this stock is important for our inshore vessels.”

Adding that Ireland is “moving into a better place wit this fishery” after years of closure due to its “poor state”, the minister said: “The scientific advice on the state of the stock is now positive and we can look forward to a good fishery for the fishing fleet, both for inshore and offshore vessels.

"This demonstrates clearly that taking strong conservation measures, when necessary, rebuilds fish stocks. I appreciate fully the strong support given by our fishers for these conservation measures even though they were deprived of a commercial fishery for six years.”

Minister McConalogue said he will shortly be inviting stakeholders and in particular those involved in the fishery over recent years to submit their views.

“To assist consideration, I asked my department to prepare a consultation paper setting out the background and giving possible options. I look forward to good engagement from stakeholders including any alternative proposals put forward during the consultation,” he said.

"Following the consultation, I will consider all the issues involved and make a decision on any justified amendment to the 2012 policy including any new arrangement in the interim or on a longer-term basis,” he added.

The Department of Transport is currently drafting new regulations entitled “Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) Regulations”, which will revoke and replace the current regulations, titled Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 289 of 1988) and its amending regulations.

Similar to the 1988 regulations, the new regulations will apply to fishers aboard fishing vessels that are 15 metres in length overall and over, and government research fishery vessels.

A summary of the new regulations is included in Marine Notice No 83 of 2022, attached below, and interested parties are invited to submit their views by 1pm on Tuesday 31 January.

Comments or observations on the proposed new regulations should be sent by email, with “FV Certification Regs” in the subject line, to [email protected]. Please note that details of submissions received may be published on the department’s website.

The deadline for submissions in the public consultation on a review of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft has been extended to 5pm on Friday 9 December.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Department of Transport reached out to stakeholders in the marine sector last month as it begins the process to review the Code of Practice, the latest edition of which was published in 2017.

The Code of Practice provides information on the legislation that applies to recreational craft, as well as safety information, advice and best-practice guidance for owners, operators and users of a range of recreational craft operating in Irish coastal and inland waters.

It’s proposed that the review will look at the content, structure and design of the Code, including at ways to improve the understanding of the content for end users, both in terms of presentation and layout.

For more details, see Marine Notice No 75 of 2022 (Amended) which is attached below.