2.2.1 Policy actions

2.2.1.1
An unequivocal statement recognising pike as a valuable part of Ireland's freshwater bio-diversity resource is required from the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. Current policy and legislation governing fish movement, transfer and importation should be reviewed as a matter of urgency.

2.2.1.2
An unequivocal statement recognising pike as an integral and valuable part of the national freshwater angling asset is required from the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards with an undertaking to manage, protect and promote pike as a distinct fisheries entity.

2.2.1.3
The management of the Irish pike resource must be considered as a new policy area and thereby qualify for separate and additional exchequer funding. The new pike management programme must be adequately funded and provided with appropriate resources.

2.2.1.4
The issue of appropriate pike representation on the Regional Fisheries Boards should be pursued within the context of the recently initiated Review of the Inland Fisheries Sector.



2.2.2 Research actions

2.2.2.1
Information deficits in respect of the distribution and biological status of pike must be addressed with appropriate scientific research. Ireland's obligation to report on the status of the fish communities in its lakes and rivers under the terms of the E.U. Water Framework Directive provides an important opportunity in this respect.

2.2.2.2
Information deficits in respect of economic and socio-economic value of the resource and its sustainable management must be addressed with appropriate economic research.

2.2.2.3
Appropriate market research must be conducted to provide necessary information on the dynamic of the pike angling market at home and abroad.



2.2.3 Strategic Actions

2.2.3.1
A pilot scheme that aims to implement and evaluate an alternative approach to freshwater fisheries management (i.e. the postponement of the use of gill nets for the removal of pike) in a sample of wild trout fisheries should be undertaken for a period of five years. The new initiative must be subject to rigorous evaluation with respect to the methodologies employed, the targets, the locations and the response of managed and targeted species.

2.2.3.2
Changes to the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 667 (1990), as already agreed between the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, should be made with immediate effect. The change stipulates that no pike greater than 75 cm fork length can be retained. This replaces the obligation to weigh fish and to return pike weighing in excess of 3 kg. AdditionaIly, for conservation reasons, a ban on the killing of specimen pike (river - 20 lb, lake - 30 lb) should be implemented.

2.2.3.3
Additional Fisheries Officers should be recruited to specifically work on the management, protection and conservation of pike stocks.

2.2.3.4
A product development package and modernisation programme should be formulated and implemented.

2.2.3.5
A vigorous marketing campaign should be undertaken to actively promote pike angling in Ireland and to redress the damage caused to the country's angling brand image by recent negative publicity. It is incumbent on all stakeholders to fulfil their civic responsibility and portray a positive image of Irish recreational fisheries abroad.

2.2.3.6
The proposed strategies and their implementation plans must be reviewed and evaluated after a period of not more than five years. The tangible benefits of the scheme must be readily demonstrable using appropriate performance indicators.

2.2.3.6
The elements of the recommended strategy should be implemented in their entirety. Selective implementation of components of the strategy is strongly discouraged.

2.2.4
Time period for implementation of the Strategy and Plan:

Five years: January 2004 - December 2008



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