Minister for Natural Resources Sean Kyne has rubbished a circulating story that the Salmon Weir might be put up for sale.
He said that the sale of Galway Fishery Weir was never contemplated by the Board of IFI.
“The Board agreed to implement a range of management measures to reduce the costs associated with the fishery and that the fishery should at least break-even.
“ It was also decided that an under 16 rate for younger people to fish be introduced,” he said, adding that no decisions have been made on the future of Cong Hatchery.
“With regard to the reported sale of Cong hatchery, no proposal has been made to the Board on Cong.
“The hatchery is being discussed with a view to its future use, additional or reduced use, its importance to the town, environmental concerns, etc. A report is due before the Board soon,” he said.
“With regard to stories that pike control was stopped on Loughrea Lake, I wish to point out that this is a privately owned lake, leased by a local angling club. “IFI locally are awaiting pike catch returns from last year, a condition of their licence, before considering granting a further licence. With regard to overall pike control measures on the Western lakes, this will continue from February and I have asked for additional pike control measures on the Owenriff Lakes in 2018. “Existing management of pike, as agreed by angling federations of both species in 2014, will continue. The review group established by IFI, and agreed by the Board, is due to report in early 2018 with recommendations. As a review is ongoing it is inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.
“I have, however, asked the CEO and the Department to expedite the publication of this report as early as possible in 2018. As Minister, working with my Department and with Minister Denis Naughten, I have been able to secure an additional €1.2million for Inland Fisheries towards wage costs and also increased investment in angling infrastructure,” he said.
“Included in this is €300,000 to IFI for their works in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Services – NPWS – to continue important works on Lough Corrib in removing the invasive African Pond Weed from the Upper Corrib. I understand the Board, as is their remit, is considering cost efficiencies within IFI assets in response to a drop in own funding within the organisation, I have requested a meeting with the Board which will take place on November 8 to discuss a number of issues of concern,” he concluded.
