Angling Notes/Derek Evans: The European Commission is to issue a letter of formal notice to the Irish Government regarding the effects of drift-netting on the conservation of salmon, according to Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now (SSDNN).
The notice, which has yet to be published, will hold that Ireland has failed to meet requirements of the Habitats Directive in setting quotas for catching salmon.
This will be the first step in an infringement procedure against Ireland on salmon, which enjoy a special status in certain designated Special Areas of Conservation under the directive.
The action by the Commission follows on complaints made by SSDNN in respect of Irish rivers and Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust in England regarding the impact of Irish drift nets on salmon returning to the Hampshire Avon, a salmonid Special Area of Conservation.
"The issuing of a formal notice by the European Commission is very good news indeed and confirms what we have been saying for a long time: that efforts to increase the number of salmon returning to spawn and to give them a favourable conservation status are meaningless while drift netting continues," according to Niall Greene, chairman of SSDNN. Contact 086-8269222.
An irate angler from Co Wicklow writes to vent his frustration and disgust at the slaughter of sea trout and salmon on the Dargle River in Bray.
"I have fished the Dargle for 40 years and get so upset to see a river destroyed that could be as good as the Erriff. I feel sorry for the bailiffs as they are unable to do anything against these thugs, he said.
Because of low water levels, fish become trapped between the harbour and park area. As the tide rises, the fish run up to the park and it is here the poachers snatch and gaff them, at least 18 to 20 per night. Beautiful fish weighing up to 3kg. The Government should consider a similar project to the Moy at Ballina in Co Mayo. Can you imagine a Ridge Pool at the bridge in Bray. "Think of the tourism," he said.
Work started last week on a £80,000 (€126.693) project to improve salmon and sea trout stocks on the River Tywi, in Camarthenshire, south Wales. A "rock ramp" fish pass, the first of its kind in Wales, will allow migratory fish access to more than 10km of spawning grounds on the River Sannan, near Dryslwyn.
Fish will be able to get over a man-made weir, which until now confined them to the lower reaches of the river. The ramp will mimic a natural rocky cascade in the river channel, allowing fish to swim up a slope rather than trying to leap over the existing falls.
Work is likely to continue until the middle of August, and should be ready in time for the autumn run of salmon and sea trout. The fish-pass is part of the Fishing Wales project and is funded by the Welsh Assembly and Objective One from Europe.
Fishing project manager Ben Wilson, said: "Each year we see large numbers of fish trying to negotiate this barrier. Helping them get to the upper reaches is one of the best ways of improving fish stocks."
Following the recent report in Angling Notes of the tremendous codling catches off Hook Head at Ballyhack in Co Wexford in recent weeks, the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) has issued a statement verifying this, and confirming that there has been a substantial increase in codling catches from Wexford to west Cork.
Skippers in Kilmore Quay also contacted the CFB to report a large increase in codling catches, with some fish up to 4.5kg. In addition, Ian O'Driscoll, skipper of Blue Thunder, operating out of Schull, west Cork, continues to enjoy a substantial increase in catches.
The increase in juvenile fish is welcome news for all and may result in better quality cod fishing in the next few years. The CFB's sea-angling unit carries out fish surveys nationwide during the summer months and further updates on a range of species will be announced later in the year.
Contact hazel.dobbyn@cfb.ie
Around the fisheries
Maynooth Fisheries, Co Kildare: The carp lake is fishing extremely well as fish prepare to spawn. Denis Goulding surpassed his personal best with a super 13.4kg mirror, along with a 9.3kg mirror. Sean Doogan and Glen Weafer had 21 fish during a four-day session, the biggest reaching 11.2kg common, and a lovely 9kg tiger koi for Weafer.
Anglers are requested to ring the fishery in advance to book a swim.
Bookings are now being taken for summer camps. These camps are for boys and girls from 12 years of age and will run from Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Contact the fishery at 01-629 3202.
angling@irish-times.ie
