NEWS FOR "DECEMBER 2004"
FROM THE IRISH FEDERATION OF PIKE ANGLING CLUBS



WHAT DID 2004 HOLD IN STORE FOR ESOX LUCIUS?

The Irish pike resource has without doubt been the envy of pike anglers throughout Europe, even America. Indeed, the respect that such anglers have was proven during the Irish pike review, which was carried out by the Central Fisheries Board, in 2003. Anglers and Celebrities such as Matt Hayes, Mick Brown, Chris Tarrant, and many others all felt emotive enough to put pen to paper in the hope that Irish pike angling would finally gain the respect it deserves by no less than that Statutory Body, the Central Fisheries Board, the responsible body set up to develop and sustain and protect that resource, among others, for this and future generations.

It is a great shame that the review recommendations that were to have been the shining light for Irish pike angling lie on a desk, somewhere in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, an example maybe of yet another consultation process designed to disillusion the Irish electorate into thinking we can influence Irish policy making. The review group that developed the recommendations did so, outlining the expectation that certain aspects, such as an update of the Pike byelaw would commence in 2004. Nearly a year later and indeed three and a half years after the DCMNR initially received the official byelaw amendment document from the CFB, we are still waiting.

However, while we are waiting, the resource is dissipating, of course in differing degrees. The simple fact is that Irish pike have suffered for decades at the hands of continental anglers, barbaric management policies and ignorance. The one notable and commendable positive being the Shannon Regional Fishery Board's cessation this year of the barbaric and unsafe practice of gillnetting. However now, into the cauldron of abuse of Irish pike has come a barrage of illegal and immoral practices designed to indiscriminately remove any fish that swims. The old saying of an odd fish for the table has no place in the New Ireland of today. The simple facts speak for themselves, rubber dinghy's used to lay crude but effective longlines during the day and at night, nets being hand trolled down sections of canals, regular pummelling of the stocks of pike on small waters by gangs of anglers, gillnets stolen from fishery boards and used for poaching and now monofilament gillnets purposely attained for poaching an example of which is shown in the photograph. At the time of writing, I have been made aware that Gardai in Wexford stopped and searched a van, of which five of the eight occupants allegedly escaped while three were caught. The van was said to have contained three stolen boat engines of an estimated total cost of €25,000 the theft of which the Gardai agreed was a professional job. Is this the commencement of a new area of abuse throughout Ireland?

The persistent illegal practices of stock abuse have not gone un-noticed by the fishery boards, but unfortunately have gone unanswered by the DMCNR. Following a representation to the Department in 2003 by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board asking for the protection of all coarse fish in the region, noting at this point contrary to some beliefs, that pike is still a coarse fish, it appears the request has come to a stand still. The concern for all pike anglers in Ireland has to lie in how to answer the question of how the Irish pike resource will be protected in the future in the interest of sustainable quality angling. The sad reality we are all aware of is that the current fisheries service is shackled by a lack of finance and resources. These shackles prevent the fisheries service from having any real effectiveness from a protection perspective. Indeed, on another level it has recently been stated on an English website that even though a rod licence exists, payable to the Environment Agency in England, there are still protection resource difficulties. The bottom line must be that it is up to anglers to lay the foundation for sustainability of the Irish pike resource. Whether this is done through the appointment of Section 294 waterkeepers or a new supplementary voluntary protection officer support service for the fisheries service similar to the fire service, anglers will have to put something back into their sport. Court appointed Waterkeepers to be completely effective will have to be part of a partnership arrangement, which includes the Fisheries Service and the Garda Siochana, a philosophy that was included in the Federation's submission to the pike policy review group last year.

However, without adequate legislation aimed at ensuring sustainability, the resource is simply open to indiscriminate abuse. It is time now that the DCMNR introduced a byelaw that can be policed along with new legislation accompanied by considerably substantially greater fines as a deterrent to illegal activity. These items were also highlighted by the Federation in our submission to the pike policy review group but unfortunately did not evoke the foresight they where meant to. It may be stating the obvious, but it would seem very much up to us as individual and club anglers to look at how we can help protect our own waters by working with our local representatives, through education, policing, but particularly vigilance, if Irish pike angling is to have a future to be proud of, for the benefit of the angler and the economy in Ireland. It is probably suffice to say that more of the same in 2005 and beyond, is not acceptable.

Note: The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board is currently setting up public meetings to advise angling clubs on the appointment, roles and responsibilities of Section 294 Waterkeepers. Protect your local waters.
For further details, contact John Chambers on (086) 6057306.

NITRATES DIRECTIVE - PROGRESS REPORT

On 14th October the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr Dick Roche, T.D., published the report of Mr. Denis Brosnan in relation to the measures to be incorporated in the National Nitrates Action Programme. Mr Brosnan, the former MD of the Kerry Group, was appointed by the Government in June 2004 to advise it on the Nitrates Action Programme. He reviewed some 50 submissions received in the course of the second round of consultation and met with a range of key stakeholders, including the four main farming organisations, EPA, City and County Managers Association and Central and Regional Fisheries Boards.

The Minister stated that "Mr Brosnan's report and recommendations present a well considered and balanced way forward in terms of environmental protection and addressing the concerns of farming organisations in relation to Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme

The Department is currently, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Food, revising the Nitrates Action Programme to reflect the recommendations made in the Brosnan Report and will shortly formally submit the programme to the European Commission. Discussions will then take place with the Commission prior to the making of detailed Regulations to give statutory support to the provisions of the Action Programme. There will be further consultation with farming bodies and other interests in relation to the Regulations to be drawn up under the Action Programme. It is proposed that the Action Programme will be implemented on a phased basis over a four-year period beginning 1st January 2005.

Main Recommendations
· The D.E.H.L.G. should reach a speedy agreement with the European Commission to enable it to implement the Nitrates Directive early in 2005.

· Local Authorities to maintain their role as water protection bodies under existing national legislation and EU directives however the new regulations in the Directive must also be observed by them when drawing up their own bye-laws.

· Government should apply for a derogation to the European Commission at a level of 230kg organic Nitrogen/ha, based on scientific evidence and advice.

· The Department of Agriculture and Food should be responsible for on-farm inspections to check compliance with the Nitrates Directive and will be responsible for decisions relating to the single farm payment. However, local authorities should be fully involved in the compliance monitoring process, including the selection of those farms to be monitored.

· Farmers should be sent all relevant documentation before end December 2005 and must farm within the 170kg organic N or a higher derogated amount (if agreed) by end December 2006.

· For holdings below 170kg N/ha, simple documentation, based on a checklist compiled by the Department of Agriculture and Food, should be made available to farmers.

· The following dates are recommended as the prohibited periods for spreading slurry - 15th October till 2nd January for Zone A (Cork, Waterford, South Tipperary, Wexford), 1st October till 31st January period for Zone C (Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim), and 15th October till 15th January period for Zone B (rest of the country),.

· Farmers need to be aware that a single investment in storage facilities will be required into the long term. It is therefore sensible to ensure a safe level of storage is provided for, which for most parts of the country (Zones A and B) would be a minimum of 16 weeks. A limited number of areas (those in Zone C) will require a higher minimum storage requirement of 20 weeks;

· Earthen bank tanks, approved by Teagasc but awaiting a decision from the Dept Agriculture & Food technical committee could save significant investment on farms and a decision must be given as soon as possible. · Higher rates of assistance of up to 60% (and above 60% for those in Zone C) should be provided for under the Farm Waste Management scheme for investment in new storage requirements.

· Consideration should be given to reviewing zones for the purposes of prohibited periods and minimum storage capacities on the basis of objective scientific criteria, when more detailed data becomes available in the future.

· Those in breach of the Nitrates Directive should receive an initial warning and then penalties.

· Committees should be established in each county consisting of Local Authorities, Farming, DAF and Teagasc representatives, together with other stakeholders, e.g. Tourism and Fishery interests to address improving water quality in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.


CLUB INSURANCE

Clubs are reminded that IFPAC offers an opportunity for club's to obtain public and employers liability insurance cover and also a separate personal accident policy from our insurers, Royal and Sun Alliance. It is important that the officers of angling club's protect themselves by availing of these opportunities. For further details on club insurance, please contact Chairman, John Chambers on 086 6057306.


KINGSPAN NATIONAL PIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2004-05

51 anglers turned up to fish the Camlough qualifier, catching and returning 28 fish on a day, which saw flat calm and mild conditions. The weigh in took place in the Genie Mac's bar and lounge in Foxhill and the Federation would like to extend its thanks to the staff and management for their hospitality.

The anglers who qualified to fish next April are as follows:
1st Sean Markey, Cootehill A.C, 4 fish for 23lb 11oz
2nd Brenton Sweeney, Cootehill A.C, 4 fish for 17lb 10oz
3rd Sam Lawlor, Belfast Individuals, 1 fish for 15lb 3oz
4th Pat Byrne, Camlough and District A.C, 1 fish for 14lb 10oz
5th James Byrne, Dublin Pike Anglers, 4 fish for 14lb 1oz

The top fish on the day were caught by:
Sam Lawlor at 15lb 3oz Pat Byrne at 14lb 10oz
David Roche at 8lb 12oz

Note: Anglers who fish Camlough are asked to remain alert to the possible occurrence of illegal long lining. I have been informed that prior to most anglers arriving at the slipway for the check-in, the occupants of a rubber dinghy that was out on the lake allegedly hurriedly left the lake with their dinghy at the slipway before an opportunity to discuss with them, suspicions that longlines had been lifted.

The remaining heats of the Kingspan Championship are as follows:
Heat 9 - 5th December, Grand Canal, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare
Heat 10 - 2nd January 05, Clae Lake, Keady, Co Armagh
Heat 11 - 6th February 05,

Stewards Heat, venue to be decided
For further details of the Kingspan National Pike Championship, contact John Chambers on 086 6057306 or Ibar Condron on 087 2488648.




December 2004

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