Shannon Regional Fisheries Board reply to IFPAC of 5th March 2004, Re: Coarse Angling Permit and the Use of Gill Nets

5th March 2004

Dear Mr. Crudden

Further to your fax of 3rd March, I would welcome the opportunity to outline to your members the Boards programs for the Conservation and Development of fisheries and angling. However, due to short notice, it is not possible to re-arrange previous commitments and despite the hostile reception at previous meetings, I would welcome an opportunity for dialogue with your members.

The Board has at length set out its policy on the management of a small number of Trout Fisheries and on this policy both organisations do not agree. While your Federation is a single agenda organisation, the Board has a wide range of issues to deal with and must try to seek a balance between conflicting interests, while at the same time, dealing with the real issues affecting the decline in our Fisheries.

I can confirm that the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board will in the first instance be using electro fishing equipment in our predator control programs however, should this prove ineffective or funds unavailable we reserve our position to revert to gill nets for the purpose of Pike removal.

It should a1so be noted that we shall in conjunction with the CFB be carrying out a fish population study, over a three day period, on Lough Sheelin and other lakes which will involve the use of gill nets.

I can also confirm that only Pike up to 80 cm will, where possible be removed.

The period of angling and the angling methods on the Boards Trout Fisheries shall remain as previously stated for 2004 and shall be reviewed in October.

The Boards will make available a copy of the Coarse Fish Stock Assessments on the Shannon when the written report is available to us from the CFB.

The Board also welcomes the Federation's commitment to dealing with issues such as pollution, stocks, promotion etc. and we will seek to further these at our bi-annual meetings as agreed.

The Board has stated that it will spend the additional funds raised in the extension of the permit to coarse angling on new projects and has requested suggestions for projects from your Federation and others. The sum set aside for this purpose from 2003 is 15000 euro and we are confident this will grow in 2005.

In conclusion, I would 1ike to wish your members tight lines for 2004 Season and remind them that while we have our differences, the Shannon Region rivers are still the best for river Pike angling according to the Specimen fish report which showed that of the 26 Pike recorded, 20 were caught within the Region.

Yours sincerely.

Eamon Cusack
Chief Executive Officer

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