By-law a threat to trout on Great Western Lakes

A PROPOSED new by-law poses a threat to trout in a number of Mayo lakes.

Predatory pike, says Ballinrobe-based Councillor Michael Burke, are being given more protection than trout, which are struggling to survive.

The programme for government, he explained, contains a welcome commitment to designate the Great Western lakes as salmonoid waters. If achieved, this would be a significant move to at least recognise the unique importance of these lakes as among the last surviving wild brown trout fisheries in Europe.

“That hope and expectation was shattered last week when the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications officials hastily rushed out a by-law in Minister Ryan’s name that purported to designate these special lakes as 'primarily salmonoid waters',” he said.

At present, it is permissible for an angler to legally take four trout exceeding 33cm each day from these lakes but one can only take one pike of less than 50cm each day.

“In other words, predatory pike are afforded more protection than trout in lakes that are struggling to survive and where fisheries authorities are spending good money each year trying to control the pike population in order to give the trout a chance,” he explained.

“The draft ministerial by-law, instead of addressing this ridiculous situation, proposes to place the control of the pike population in these lakes under the control of the minister and officials.

“Any designation and recognition of these lakes, as promised in the programme for government, must firmly place the conservation and preservation of the trout and salmon populations on a firm footing and recognise the economic and social importance of these lakes to the region and the nation.

“The current proposal is a travesty perpetrated in the name of a government minister from the environmentally conscious Green Party.

“Governments rule with the consent of the governed and consent for this ill thought out draft by-law will not be forthcoming.”