Some well known salmon and sea trout rivers, which would normally open this week, will remain closed this year in the southwest, as part of new salmon conservation measures.
Among those barred to salmon and sea trout anglers are the Maine and Flesk rivers near Killarney, both of which would be due to open on Wednesday.
However, trout fishing on these rivers can go ahead when that season opens in February.
Other salmon rivers which would ordinarily open in February such as the Sheen, will also remain closed for 2007. Some 20 salmon rivers will remain closed in Kerry, as well as a small number in Cork including the Upper Lee and the Glengarriff.
Dr Patrick Buck, assistant chief executive of the South Western Regional Fisheries Board, says the situation will be reviewed next year.
Most of the rivers closed in the southwest this year, were only just under the scientific guidelines, Dr Buck noted.
Fisheries rate payers will still have to pay rates on closed fisheries. Two of the three biggest fishery rate payers this year in the southwest, with rates bills of up to €3,000, will have their rivers closed, a board meeting heard last week.
John Lucey, the Environmental Protection Agency representative on the fisheries board, said these rivers will still need protection by the fishery board and the intention behind the closure is to increase fish stocks.