The National Salmon Commission (NSC) met recently to consider, among other things, the scientific advice prepared by the Standing Scientific Committee for the 2008 wild salmon fishery.
Following the meeting, figures for the total allowance catch for each river were updated on the website of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (www.dcmnr.gov.ie) to reflect the latest scientific advice. The NSC will tender its advice to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, who will add this information to the response to the public consultation exercise (which closed Saturday, December 15th) and advice from the regional fisheries board managers. The Minister will then decide the terms of the regulations that are to be published on or before next Monday.
• Following recent discussions between the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture Michelle Gildernew, and EU Commissioner for Fisheries, Dr Joe Borg, the Loughs Agency is pleased to announce it has commenced payment of the Hardship Package (HP) to commercial salmon fishermen who have agreed to permanently cease fishing for salmon. The HP was achieved through voluntary commitment given by fishermen and allows the agency to comply with requirements of the EU Habitats Directive. Fishermen opting for the package have entered into a legally binding agreement not to participate in the wild salmon fishery in the future. The agency is confident this rationalisation, together with measures with regard to recreational fishing for salmon, will protect stocks for the future.
Meanwhile, funding is now available to support development of marine tourism and/or angling in the Foyle and Carlingford systems. Interested parties seeking funding for a project in 2008/9 should submit an expression of interest before March 27th 2008. Funding may not exceed £5,000 (€6,972) but larger-scale projects will be considered provided applications are received in good time.Queries will be dealt with at the following venues: Derry - Loughs Agency, Jan 21, 6.30pm. Limavady - Alexander Arms, Jan 21, 9pm. Warrenpoint - Town Hall, Jan 24, 6.30 pm. Carlingford - Loughs Agency, Jan 24, 9.30pm. Omagh - Silverbirch Hotel, Jan 28, 7pm. Moville - Foyle Hotel, Jan 30, 7pm. For further information, e-mail: funding@loughs-agency.org or Tel: 028-71342100.
• The chairman of Irish Water Safety (IWS), Frank Nolan, has issued an awareness message to anglers intent on fishing off rocks and fast-flowing rivers over the Christmas period and into the New Year. Anglers are advised about the dangers that arise along our coastline in certain weather conditions. Foreign nationals in particular may experience different sea conditions in this country than those in their homeland. "Atlantic swells have already claimed the lives of those unaware of such dangers," according to Nolan.
The IWS has issued important life-saving advice this Christmas: 1) Always wear a personal flotation device when fishing; 2) Stay away from alcohol when near waterways; 3) Avoid cold shock and hypothermia on Christmas swims; 4) Avoid dangerous locations; 5) Supervise children at all times; 6) Avoid flooded areas; and 7) In a marine emergency call 999 or 112.
"With 131 lives lost to drowning this year we need to be aware that water-related tragedies can happen in seconds," said Nolan. Translated advice is available at www.iws.ie
• "There's little doubt that our new tanks have proved their worth at Rathbeggan Lakes," says the lakes' proprietor Dave Robinson. "Being able to guarantee fresh stocked fish throughout the winter has definitely improved catch rates." Most anglers at this time of year make the assumption that only deep-fished lures will work, he said, but great sport can also be achieved on small nymphs, buzzers and, in those sunny windows, even a Dry Daddy or Grey Duster will provoke surface action. Some anglers are doing well on small green nymphs mid-water and retrieved slowly but jerkily. Whatever the fly, anglers doing best are those who vary the speed and behaviour of the retrieve. In cold weather, however, it's hard to wait for the fly to sink to the correct depth, and sometimes even harder to retrieve slowly.
Peter Timmons from Newcastle in the UK was top angler last week with nine fish while Paddy Lynch from Dublin had seven, the heaviest about 2kg. Rathbeggan Lakes will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen at noon on St Stephen's Day.
The First Fish of the Year competition will be held on New Year's Day, starting at 12.30pm. Entry is €25 and first prize is a beautiful Mark Watson handmade fly rod, worth more than €200. Further details available at www.rathbegganlakes.com or from the lodge at 01-8240197.