19/06/03
 PAC/IPS
PRESS RELEASE  Combined
Report on 'Review of the current policy and strategy for the management of pike
and pike angling in Ireland' one day workshop called by the Central and Regional
Fisheries Boards at Knockranny House Hotel in Westport Republic of Ireland on
12th June 2003. By
David Overy, (Chairman) Irish Pike Society and Phil Wakeford, (Liaison Officer)
Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain Purpose
of Review
The Fisheries Boards and the
Irish tourist Board are well aware that there has been a significant reduction
in the numbers of overall visitors to the Republic of Ireland and especially anglers.
In addition there has been a huge amount of negative press and general media coverage
about the decline in fishing available in the Country with pictures of gill-netting
and poaching receiving condemnation from various quarters. This review was intended
to bring together the various stake-holders for pike fishing in Ireland to explore
all aspects of the pike fishing resource, hopefully come to a consensus view as
to the actual state of play and make some firm proposals to improve matters in
a reasonable timescale and report these to the Minister of the Marine for consideration/implementation
by the Irish Government. Relevant History There
had been an earlier forum 5 years ago, which was before the Irish Pike Society
had been formed and both David Overy and Howard Yendle represented the interests
of the then Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain and Ireland. At that point in time
the Fisheries Boards had come into possession of significant EC funds for tourism
improvement and intended to use these to recommence pike removal from the 9 specified
wild brown trout waters which specifically translated to gill-netting on the Western
Loughs including Mask and Corrib. All informed
parties would know that the pike in these great fisheries were being used as a
scape goat for more serious problems and issues that were and are actually responsible
for decline of the trout and pike fisheries. Almost certainly the top of the list
is pollution from domestic and agricultural run-off either resulting in immediate
fish fills, or so enriching the waters as to lead to massive algal blooms (changing
the whole biology of the water) and also damaging the spawning sites in the streams
feeding these waters leading to poor spawning success and reduction in overall
population numbers. In addition the various bye-laws
which have been drawn up to protect pike are either inadequate, not enforced (due
to insufficient Fisheries Officers?) or are flawed to the extent that when a case
goes to court it is unsuccessful. Perhaps the most obvious example here is the
byelaw relating to the taking of pike caught by rod and line which gives a limit
of one fish per angler per day not greater than 3 Kg in weight. When a breach
of this bye-law is taken to court the prosecution has to prove that the fish was
greater than this weight and one gets caught up in a detailed argument about certification
of scales and such like. Also there are concerns about the right to take one specimen
fish per day, as well as whole sale slaughter by continental anglers and professional
poaching (using nets and long lines) by certain Irish people. The
2003 Review The
review had been publicised for at least six months and invitations made for submissions
both by Lorraine Flanagan of the CFB as well as IPS, PAC and the Irish Federation
of Pike Angling Clubs (IFPAC). In total more than 100 submissions were received
most giving the common theme of what is wrong with the pike fishery as well as
giving sound ideas for how to improve it. A total
of 30 stake-holders in Irish Pike Fishing met in the Knockranny Hotel, Westport
for a full day session on 12th June 03. readers should be aware that there was
significant background politics surrounding the review and that on the day a number
of pro trout people "made themselves available" so there was a certain
amount of tension in the meeting with the two definite and potentially opposing
factions preparing to do battle to protect their favoured species and corners.
A tremendous amount of credit must go to Dr Phillip Mc Ginnity (Director
for Protection and Conservation with the CFB) who chaired the review workshop
and ensured all present were able to have their say and that proceedings were
conducted in a calm, professional and focused way. After
Dr Mc Ginnity had given an introduction to the review setting out the Terms of
Reference, Scope, Methodogogy and Timetable he handed over to the first of the
days speakers. First up was David Overy of IPS who introduced the IPS as
a daughter organisation of the PAC and he made a scientifically sound and firm
but calm submission stating that the fishing was indeed in decline for the reasons
quoted above and that it was essential that those gathered at the meeting resolved
to work together to improve matters. Currently there was a significant barrier
to this partnership approach as pike anglers felt themselves to be second class
citizens to the game angling fraternity, this was reflected in the low amount
of effort and funds allocated by the Regional Boards for Coarse Angling (including
pike) and the actions of the Fisheries Boards to protect pike were insignificant
at best through to counterproductive with reference to Gill-netting. Quotes such
as "Gerrymandering" and "like it or not" were used and represented
opening shots in the defence of Esox who we all know to be innocent! John
Chambers of IFPAC was next up who gave a presentation
from the point of view of the pike match anglers. A similar story to that given
by David Overy unfolded but was backed up by actual figures showing the marked
decline in pike anglers visiting Ireland as well as declining catch returns by
his members. Reference made to the urgent need to review the associated by-laws
and to their enforcement. Michael Fitzpatrick from the Northern Regional Fisheries Board came across
as quite open minded and one was left feeling that he really did want to help
improve matters but was restrained in doing so by lack of funding, flawed bye-laws
and he went into considerable detail over the poor agricultural practice employed
by farmers some of whom were acting in ignorance and others perhaps maliciously
by for instance applying fertilizer/slurry to frozen ground that then ran straight
off to watercourses when any rain fell. Matt
Hayes, of Ski's Total Fishing fame' gave a particularly
hard hitting and entertaining presentation. He used his personal experiences of
travelling and fishing down the R. Shannon a couple of years ago and concluded
that the upper reaches in particular were in serious decline. Matt made the point
that the pike fishing in Ireland was once the best in Europe and possibly the
World but for various reasons could no longer make that claim. Tourists after
pike fishing were now venturing to the Baltic Sea in Sweden or to the Northern
Territories in North America. Matt called upon Ireland Inc to get it's product
up to scratch and only then could it be successfully marketed and numbers/income
start to recover. He stated that he thought Gill-netting was barbaric and whilst
continued with presented an insurmountable barrier to promoting pike fishing on
the Western Loughs which were the pinnacle of pike fishing in Ireland. Last
up was Dr Joe Caffrey a Research Scientist with CFB who referred to the
sound science underpinning the management of the resource which stretched back
to 1951 in his opinion. He referred to the declining stock of pike in many waters
but preferred to refer to actual survey results as opposed to anglers returns
or other perhaps anecdotal evidence. Joe repeatedly pointed out that more research
was needed but at the same time seemed caught up in historic practices often defending
Gill-netting and relocation. Not a vote for open mindedness and change we fear. Following
lunch in the restaurant overlooked by some impressive mountain scenery battle
was resumed. Dr Mc Ginnity and the mornings speakers had drawn together a framework
for the afternoon debating session aimed at covering the major points in a fair
and balanced way. A set of rules were also used to control the pitch of the meeting
and prevent the possibility of things getting personal or out of hand. This approach
worked very well. The discussion topics were as follows :- - Resource
information Deficit (status and distribution).
- Resource
protection and investment deficit.
- Representation
for pike angling interests.
- Changing perceptions
at home and abroad.
- New packaging.
- Partitioning/Designation
of the resource.
- Pike as a constraint on trout production
predator control pike removal methods.
Suffice
it to say that each of these points were hotly debated with many contributions
made from the floor as well as from the Top Table. Some of the principle protagonists
were Ian Ford IPS, Phil Wakeford PAC, Michael Kennedy WRFB, Eamon Cusack SRFB,
Martin O'Grady Fisheries advisor CRFB and Michael Canney of Partarra Lodge. Behind
the scenes The pro-pike angling camp held a common line and did not show any chinks in their
armour that could have been exploited to divide them. They repeatedly reported
that they were treated as second class citizens and as a result were reluctant
to open up and to trust those on the CFB who should be there to help pike anglers
and protect their fishing. They were prepared to show flexibility for instance
by not insisting on the protection of all pike irrespective of size, feeling that
this was too much to ask for with a view to acceptance. After all trout and salmon
are killed and pike eat some game fish. There
was a consistent message about the urgent need to review the pike protection bye-laws
especially changing the 3Kg weight limit for takeable fish to a measurement of
0.75 m (75 cm) which stood a much improved chance of prevailing in the Courts
and allowing some (high profile) prosecutions to be made as a deterrent to others.
Similarly the allowance to take one specimen fish per day needed to be removed
to keep in touch with today's thinking and social acceptability plus the pressure
on the resource. Repeated reference made to "our waters" and assurance
given that pike anglers wanted to share the waters with game fishing interests
rather than take over. The fact that pike and
trout anglers "share" waters in the UK such as Graffham and Chew Valley
was cited but it had to be accepted that these waters were run on a put and take
basis it was possible to replace stocks thought to be lost to predators and to
stock with larger fish in order to minimise losses in the first place. Corrib's
trout stock is known to be augmented by the addition of 400,000 non-fed fry each
year. The significance of this annual stocking was played down vehemently by the
anti-pike camp notably Dr Michael Kennedy who claimed that it "was
a publicity stunt and had no effect on the resident trout population and only
served to feed the pike" notwithstanding the fact that the initiative was
a WRFB one and was part funded by them! In reality the pike boys sympathise with
the trout boys who are desperately trying to preserve some of the best wild trout
fisheries in the World in the face of pollution, over exploitation of the fishery
and an unsympathetic Agricultural Political lobby but did not agree in making
pike the scape-goats just because the Fisheries Board needed to be seen to be
doing something and the pike were an easy target. Total
agreement was reached over the need to review the pike protection by laws ref.
Drop 3Kg limit in favour of 75 cm length. Also to drop right to take one specimin
pike per day per angler.
Martin O'Grady stated that the CRFB research showed
that the main problem of pike predation on trout was by fish up to 75 cm in length
and that fish above that weight were small in number and accepted by all present
to be a valuable resource. Hence methods which could target the removal of smaller
specimens and release unharmed the larger ones were to be favoured/researched.
The pro-pike camp repeatedly stated that Gill-netting as a means of management/removal
was totally unacceptable to them and constituted a barrier to promoting good pike
fishing in the Republic. This met some sympathy but continues to be a bone of
contention. Written Conclusions from the Review
to go in Report to the Minister of the Marine From the Behind the
Scenes Section above the detail of discussions and agreements/disagreements can
be seen however it is always possible that some of that meaning can get lost in
attempts to summarise. What follows was signed up to unanimously by the review
group so judge for yourself if these words capture the important decisions. IPS,
PAC and IFPAC all thought that significant progress was made at the workshop and
that the two polarised groups are gradually coming together but only time will
tell what gets implemented and whether or not the pike fishing in the Irish Republic
starts to recover to anything like it's former glory. The
review group recognises the importance of pike and pike fishing as a resource.
There is a perception that pike fishing in Ireland is not attractive to foreign
anglers.
Potentially Ireland could have the Best Pike Fishing in The World.
More research is needed into the biology behind pike and pike fishing. The Marketing
strategy for the product needs to be updated.
Communication channels between
all stake-holders needs to be improved.
Bye-Law to be changed according to
prevailing concepts. Ref. Length to replace weight and abandon specimen fish to
be taken.
The review recognises the need to manage trout identified fisheries
but this to be done in a way sympathetic to the management, preservation and marketing
of large pike. Final Point We
would like to point out that the review process is not over yet and is probably
two thirds complete. Those passionate about pike fishing in Ireland can be confident
that their corner has been fought hard and we should all keep our fingers crossed
that the Minister of the Marine will take a pragmatic approach to this potentially
thorny subject because if he does not use his position to intervene and change
things for the better then the barbaric use of gill-nets will go on and tourist
income from pike fishing in Ireland will continue to suffer as of course will
the pike. ENDS | 
NEWS