Anglers vow to resist ‘back door’ rod licence

Galway anglers are gearing up to resist plans to introduce ‘harvest fees’ for trout fishing on Lough Corrib that have been described as the “rod licence part two”.

Sources within Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Department of Environment have confirmed that proposals are under consideration to introduce a two-trout limit.

The plan being mooted is that one of the fish would not exceed 40 centimetres. Anglers would also have to pay for their catch.

The proposed cost of these ‘harvest fees’, for catching and killing trout haven’t been flagged but Department of Environment officials are insisting they be introduced.

It’s all under consideration as part of the Department’s plans to consolidate into one law, all fishing laws since 1959.

Currently, as a conservation measure, there is a four-trout limit on Lough Corrib and they must exceed 33 centimetres. Any fish under that measurement, and any over the four trout limit are released back into the water. There is no charge currently but anglers contribute through water enhancement schemes and fees to clubs.

This year, Galway anglers contributed some €15,000 to enhancements schemes on the local lakes.

Michael Donnellan, committee member of Oughterard Anglers, said the plans, still in the embryonic stage, will be strongly resisted by local salmon and trout fishermen.

“This is the rod licence part two. They’re trying to bring in a licence fee by the back door. This is a double taxation and it will sound the death knell for angling clubs. They’re planning to cut the catch to two trout per day, per angler and they’re saying you have to pay for them. That’s extra taxation. That’s a rod licence.

“The only people who contributed to the stream enhancement fund this year was the anglers, who contributed €15,000. We won’t stand for it. What this will do is it will kill the clubs,” said Mr Donnellan.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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