Anglers seek buffer zone to protect trout and salmon

Trout anglers have demanded the introduction of a two kilometre buffer-zone on Lough Corrib to protect salmonid species from predatory pike, an invasive species.

And local fishermen have reiterated their call for the Corrib to be designated as a wild salmonid fishery, to be managed primarily for the benefit of trout and salmon.

Oughterard Anglers and Boatmen Association (OABA) said its position about the need for pike to be controlled hasn’t changed since the publication of new research by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) about diet preferences of pike.

The research, referred to as ‘McLoone’, examines whether pike and brown trout can co-exist in the same habitat. Using statistical models, it found that pike and brown trout could live together within relatively large deep lakes with strong stream connectivity. However in small, low-complex systems pike introductions could potentially have a devastating impact on resident brown trout populations.

The practice of pike removal and the impact it has on brown trout stocks was also examined. The findings, according to IFI, suggest that pike removal may only be effective in protecting brown trout populations in systems where trout are the only available prey but may have little effect in systems where other prey, such as roach, is available.

Mike Donnellan, spokesperson for Oughterard Anglers, said their stance on pike hasn’t changed.

“Pike controls are definitely required. There is no doubt about it, we 100% need to control pike or else salmon and trout could be wiped out,” he said.

The McLoone report suggested that in large, deep lakes, of 600 hectares or more, there is no need for pike controls.

Mr Donnellan dismissed this as a “hypothesis” and a “mathematical formula”. “It’s never been tried and tested,” he said.

The research relates to Lake Windermere in England, where 13.6% of the lake is shallow and less than two metres, the potential poke spawning area.

However, on the lower Corrib – around Moycullen, Claregalway, Headford – 46.4% of the lake is less than two metres. The potential pike spawning area of the upper lake (less than two metres) – Oughterard, Cong, Corr na Mona, Glencorrib – is 22.7%.

“It’s comparing apples with oranges. The potential spawning area for pike in the Corrib, particularly the shallower south lake, is huge and that proves that we need to control predatory pike there,” he said.

Mr Donnellan also pointed to scientific research conducted on Lough Erne, in Northern Ireland, ‘Migration and survival of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts in a large natural lake’ which showed pike predation levels of between 32% and 54% on juvenile salmon entering systems. Published in the Journal of Fish Biology, it was commissioned by IFI, ESB and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast.

It found that pike prey on salmon smolts as they enter the lake through tributary systems, and it backs anglers call for a two-kilometre pike control buffer zone.

Mr Donnellan pointed out that IFI was spending €1.1 million on the Owenriff catchment in Connemara, the most important spawning and tributary nurseries for the Corrib, to rehabilitate the fish salmonoid stock, which has been devastated since the introduction of pike.

“What’s the point in spending all that money if you’re not going to control pike in the Corrib? What will happen is you rehabilitate juvenile salmonids on Owenriff but as soon as they enter the Corrib at Oughterard they get clipped by predatory pike. That doesn’t make sense. We need pike controls otherwise they’ll eat all the juvenile salmon and trout,” he said.

Speaking about the pike diet research, CEO of IFI, Ciaran Byrne, said: “This research was initiated to answer some on-going questions relating to the dietary preference of pike and the pike-brown trout interactions in lakes across Ireland. Previous studies in this area were carried out more than 50 years ago which is a long time within our changing lake systems.

“This research is important as it gives an insight into the behaviour of the pike species and provides updated information around their relationship with brown trout. The changing food web and altered preferences of predators in the water systems highlights the need for continued monitoring and updated data to inform effective management strategies.

“This research will now be considered alongside the many historic, socio economic and management factors which all inform fisheries management and development work. Inland Fisheries Ireland uses the best available scientific information to underpin management decision making and advice.”