THE POACHING of deer, salmon and other wild species by selfish, greedy individuals has grown to epidemic proportions over the past two years as the recession worsened and personal incomes fell. But poaching on such a scale could not exist without the involvement of unscrupulous game and fish dealers who take most of the profits and sometimes export the produce. Efforts by the Garda Síochána and Inland Fisheries Ireland to crack down on these illegal activities should address both ends of that supply chain.
Irish people have a poor record in valuing and protecting wildlife. Red deer were shot out of existence over large tracts of the country in the mid-1800s and eagles disappeared. Since then, salmon numbers have crashed below sustainable levels on many rivers. And efforts by wildlife authorities to reintroduce golden and sea eagles to traditional nesting sites have been met by wilful ignorance and deliberate obstruction. Wildlife is an extremely valuable resource, not just in terms of legitimate angling/hunting activity and domestic outdoor pursuits, but as an important tourist attraction. If jobs and wealth are to be created, then tourism and countryside activities will have to play their part.
Last spring, when the country froze, a carnival of slaughter took place in Co Wicklow when deer herds moved to low ground. Poachers with high-powered rifles, some with silencers, drove into the area, dazzled the animals with searchlights and shot them from their cars. Because of the extreme weather, the deer had lost their fear of humans. Liam McGarry of the Irish Deer Society talked of “wholesale slaughter” and of a lack of care by poachers that put lives at risk. Cattle and horses had been shot and at least one house had been hit.
That situation is in danger of being repeated. Heavy falls of snow have driven deer herds down from the mountains while game birds and other wild animals are under severe stress because of a shortage of food. The situation is so fraught that hunting organisations such as the Wild Deer Association and the Countryside Alliance have appealed to members not to engage in any shooting at all until after the weather improves.
At this time of year, salmon are in spawning grounds and easy prey for poachers. Trout, pike and other species are also at risk. Inland Fisheries Ireland has urged the public to report suspicious activity to a manned, 24-hour phone line. Details of car registrations, locations and identities should be given, as is done with the Garda confidential phone line and deer poaching.