Madam, - I want to bring your attention to the decimation of Ireland's coarse fish stocks - coarse fish include all freshwater species with the exception of trout, salmon and eel.
All freshwater fish are under threat from pollution, predation by cormorants and biological changes due to invasion of non-native flora and fauna such as zebra mussels. However, there has been a recent trend whereby some anglers are killing all coarse fish that they catch. This is taking an alarming toll on coarse fish stocks. This is particularly evident with non-national anglers.
There is currently no law within Ireland to protect these stocks. Irish and visiting UK coarse anglers have traditionally practised catch and release. Recent activity has caused stocks to be wiped out in certain areas, particularly the Grand and Royal canal. I am calling on Ministers Noel Dempsey and Pat the Cope Gallagher, who are responsible for marine matters, to introduce new laws and resources to police them in an effort to stop the decline in coarse fish stocks.
The effect on the angling tourism industry is already being felt.
Within a matter of a few years, that industry will be gone. In addition, the sport that thousands of Irish anglers practise will be no more. - Yours, etc,
JOHN CONNOLLY, Dunboyne, Co Meath