Sport

Angling notes: Marine strategy review is open for submissions

Plus competition on the Movanagher Canal and an impressive trout from Lough Sheelin

John Baker, winner of the Kilroy Cup competition on Lough Sheelin, with his 5.5lb trout.

Derek Evans
Mon Mar 28 2022 - 06:58

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage invites comments on the review of Ireland’s Marine Strategy Part 3: Programme of Measures.

Scientists around the world conclude that the health of the ocean, including the North Atlantic, is at risk and that action is needed to address the loss of biodiversity and the functioning of the marine ecosystems.

Challenges include pollution, non-indigenous species, damage to the seabed, marine litter and climate change which embraces warming of the sea, rising sea levels and loss of oxygen.

Core to the work of achieving this goal is ensuring that interested parties, i.e., the public, stakeholders, maritime sectors and others, have the chance to participate in the process.

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One measure, which is specifically required under the directive, is the development of Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) – stand-alone legislation to enable the identification and management of MPAs in accordance with Ireland’s national and international commitments.

Please note the survey is entirely anonymous and can be saved temporarily before submitting online.

The review opened for submissions on March 7th, 2022 and will close on May 20th, 2022. For further details, email marine.env@housing.gov.ie.

A commanding lead

The last of the 12 matches of the Lower Bann Coarse Angling Association’s Winter League took place on March 20th on the Movanagher Canal in Antrim. Phil Hartin had a commanding lead going into the final match and then scored the top weight of the day with a fine catch of bream, skimmers and roach for 19.870kg.

Phil Hartin, winner of the Lower Bann winter league on the Movanagher Canal in Antrim.

Second on the day was Donegal angler Vincent Walsh with 7.770kg. Meeky Cummings finished as league runner-up. The league is usually fished on the River Bann at Portglenone but after difficult river fishing conditions the final four rounds were held on the Movanagher Canal.

Five anglers, six fish

Bright sunshine and strong south-east winds made for poor angling conditions for the Kilroy Cup competition on Lough Sheelin. This was reflected in catches as just five anglers from the 42 competitors weighed in six fish.

However, the trout that did make the scales were absolute cracking fish and congratulations to those anglers.

Results: 1, John Baker, 5.566lb; 2, Ciaran Flynn, 3.728lb; 3, Paul McArdle, 3.494lb; 4, Pat Gallagher, 3.394lb; 5, Kevin Sheridan, 3.386lb.

A big thank you was expressed to those who donated prizes and who participated on the day.

Setting the pace

The Drowes Salmon Fishery in Leitrim appears to be setting the pace in terms of salmon catches. According to fishery proprietor, Shane Gallagher, 36 fish have been caught to date, with 15 of those to the fly. Last Monday alone, four salmon were recorded.

The River Moy saw the first salmon of the 2022 season caught last Friday week. The fresh 10lb springer was landed on Padden’s Pool on the Knockmore Fishery, downstream of Foxford, by experienced local angler Mairt Devers.

RNLI fundraiser

Lough Derg RNLI fundraising branch has announced its first major undertaking to date, a charity 130km ‘Lap the Lake’ cycle around the beautiful Lough Derg on Sunday, May 8th, 2022.

The €65 entry fee includes a T-shirt, goody bag, reusable lifeboat water bottle and many other treats. A meal costing €10 per person and bar facilities will be available at the yacht club following the cycle.

For more information, contact eleanor_hooker@rnli.org.uk or tel. 087 753 5207.

If you have an angling story to share, please send to me at angling@irishtimes.com