Restrictions on fishing and boating hits tourism interests

Tourism interests in the midlands say they may be ruined by a ban on fishing and restrictions on the boat hire market in the Shannon region.

The restrictions, due to foot-and-mouth in the UK, were put in place last week, just as the fishing season was starting. They have already resulted in the cancellation of holidays by foreign tour operators.

While Waterways Ireland has only recommended "that navigation be restricted" the cruiser hire industry, which is located chiefly in the midlands, has been warned that a complete ban on cruising may be imposed. The restrictions could result in losses estimated in millions of pounds, particularly in the Lough Ree area. The Central Fisheries Board has already erected posts in the area warning that fishing is suspended and has written to tour operators abroad advising them of the situation.

Manfred and Geraldine Wallesch, who operate lakeside cottages on the shores of Lough Ree at Glasson, Co Westmeath are extremely concerned at the situation.

Last weekend they had already received cancellations from abroad, although a party of eight French people who come every year, decided to return this year anyway. "But what do you do with eight fishermen who can't fish?" asked Geraldine.

According to the Central Fisheries Board the ban is in place alongside a number of other restrictions on countryside pursuits aimed at keeping foot-and-mouth out of the country.

The ban is aimed at restricting movement or gatherings of people or animals who might carry the virus but Geraldine said minimal risk is caused by lake fishermen.

"They come here from abroad, they do not cross fields to get to the water, they spend their time in a boat on the lake, and - people tend to forget this - there has not been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in this country." She said tourist interests are anxious to play their part in keeping the disease out of the Republic but added that with the current ban "people may be ruined".

Along the shoreline at the Lakeside Hotel and Marina proprietor Mr Chris Moran said a number of events in his hotel had already been cancelled. He was worried about the loss of important conference business, particularly in the low season. "We have had three conferences which were being organised by Government agencies, cancelled in recent days," he said.

Also on Lough Ree, Waveline Cruisers based at Killinure Point, has posted notices on its website warning intending tourists of the restrictions.

A spokesman for the company said that only about 10 per cent of the company's business was from parties of fishermen, but already the company had received two cancellations.

The real cause of concern was that the current crisis would have passed by the time the cruiser-holiday season starts in earnest in early May, he said.

According to the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation fishing holidays account for 120,000 foreign visitors to the Republic each year. The cruiser-hire industry attracts a further 16,000 people and between them they represent "tens of millions of pounds" annually.

Meanwhile, the status of the Shannon-Erne link which generates revenues in the region of £10 million per year in the Border counties remains unclear. A spokesman for Waterways Ireland said the cross-Border navigation has not been closed "but obviously was being monitored closely".