Anglers unite against fishing ban on Galway’s seafront and canals

Fishermen in the city and county have united to resist plans to ban fishing at Galway beaches, canals and along the River Corrib.

Galway Bay Sea Angling Club (GBSAC) and Galway City Salmon Angling Association have separately written to Galway City Council opposing new bye-laws that would outlaw fishing in public spaces.

The organisations fear for their futures, if the laws are passed; and worry that Galway County Council might follow suit and also ban fishing, if it is stopped within the city boundary.

Athenry-based chairman of Galway Bay Sea Angling Club, Brian Reidy, has written to Council Director of Services, Tom Connell, registering his members’ ‘total opposition’ to the plans.

Shantalla’s Billy Smyth, secretary of Galway City Salmon Angling Association, has also formally objected to the plan to ban fishing in the city.

The draft bye-law states that nobody shall “fish in any part of a park or open space save with the permission in writing of the Council and subject to the terms and conditions of such permission and any person so fishing shall be obliged to comply with rules and regulations which may apply.”

This has set alarm bells ringing among anglers.

The Galway Bay Sea Angling Club fear the bye-law would outlaw fishing at Ballyloughane, Silverstrand and Blackrock, which is used by its members.

Mr Reidy said: “Our members feel strongly that we should be encouraging young people to enjoy outdoor pursuits rather than criminalising such activities. Angling as a sport also has associated positives such as instilling an appreciation of the environment and nature and encouraging social interaction and intergenerational relations.

“Galway has a proud angling tradition which should be promoted and encouraged not restricted. We would of course be fully supportive of enforcing hefty fines for any anglers who leave an area littered, however to deny people, in particular children the chance to engage in a hugely popular and healthy outdoor activity is against better judgement in the opinions of our members.”

Mr Smyth said if the bye-law is passed it could have serious consequences for the tourism industry in Galway, as well as members of the Galway City Salmon Angling Association.

Its submission said: “We fish on the ‘high bank’ which is situated on the public walkway between the Salmon Weir and O’ Brien’s Bridges. A number of our members have fished this stretch of river for salmon and trout for over 50 years. Galway natives and tourists alike have also fished the canals and rivers in Galway for Trout, Perch and Roach for generations.

“Angling on the ‘high bank’ is a major tourist attraction . . . and this priceless Galway fishing amenity could be lost, if this ill-conceived bye-law is passed.

Members of our club along with thousands of others fish along the Promenade in Salthill and other beaches for Mackerel when the salmon season is over. “Mackerel fishing on the prom is also a major tourist attraction, and it is where a lot of young people learn how to fish. In this day and age when young people are spending most of their time on computers and other gadgets, we should be encouraging them to pursue outdoor sports such as fishing, instead of implementing stupid laws that restrict this kind of activity.

If this bye-law is passed it could cost jobs in the four tackle shops in the city and Salthill, as all of the fishing that takes place in Galway City is in public open spaces.”