Mayo fishery closure due to high water temperatures

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has notified anglers of the closure of the Erriff Fishery due to high water temperatures.

The Mayo fishery is closed to all angling from today (Saturday, May 17) until further notice.

In a statement issued yesterday evening, IFI said the Erriff Fishery had recorded water temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius twice in the past 24 hours and, as such, IFI has taken the decision to close the fishery to protect fish from potentially lethal stress.

IFI is guided by scientific advice that indicates a dramatic increase in angling-related mortalities at temperatures above 20 degrees.

The fishery will re-open once temperatures return to levels where fish will not be thermally stressed, and is conditional on at least two successive water temperature readings of less than 18 degrees Celsius.

Anglers with bookings affected by the closure will be contacted by IFI.

Anglers should also contact the Erriff Fishery to check the latest advice before travelling at (095) 42382 or erriff.fishery@fisheriesireland.ie.

IFI has also released an advisory notice that other State fisheries are experiencing high temperatures and may also be subject to closure, should temperatures continue to rise.

Anglers should contact the relevant fisheries to check the latest advice before travelling.

Moy Fishery: (096) 21332 or (096) 22669, moyfishery@fisheriesireland.ie.

Galway Fishery: (091) 562388, galwayfishery@fisheriesireland.ie.

In warmer temperatures, anglers should take extra precautions, such as limiting fish exposure to air or avoiding it completely where possible.

The Moy, Galway and Erriff fisheries are owned by the State and operated by IFI. Other State-owned fisheries are also being monitored.

IFI urges the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, illegal fishing, or pollution to IFI’s confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.