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The Annacottty Weir on the lower Mulkear river in Co Limerick has been identified as a “significant barrier” to the free movement of a range of fish, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The species include wild Atlantic salmon, sea, river and brook lamprey, wild brown trout and eels.
The area is now designated as “high priority” for fish passage improvement and a significant project is underway to address the situation.
Support from stakeholders and the public is critical to the successful delivery of the project and IFI is greatly encouraged with the online support to date.
Application for funding has been lodged with the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund to support the next major phase. If successful, the next step is to tender for help to deliver the technical, engineering and planning elements required. Public engagement arrangements will also form part of tender conditions.
An assessment of the weir structure to quantify its fish pass ability is now complete and a title research to identify owners of land and structures impacted by the project has commenced. Key state agencies and semi-State bodies have been engaged to ensure all relevant government agencies are actively involved in the project from the outset.
The next phase will involve extensive stakeholder and public engagement, to ensure all views are captured to form part of the planning process.
Brown tags
To boost conservation efforts, anglers who wish to catch and keep wild salmon from the Waterville catchment this year, are being advised that “brown tag” regulations are coming into force from Monday, January 17th. The measures are included in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations, recently signed into law by Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan.
Under brown tag regulations, an angler who wishes to “harvest” a wild salmon and keep it, must attach a brown tag as well as a standard blue tag to the fish. To help conserve stocks, 64 brown tags will be available and distributed to anglers with a 2022 rod licence through a lottery system. Three draws are set to take place on January 10th (to allocate 24 brown tags), February 28th (to allocate 20 brown tags) and March 28th (to allocate the remaining 20 brown tags).
Anglers with a 2022 rod licence who are not allocated a brown tag are only permitted to fish for salmon on a “catch and release” basis in the Waterville catchment, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody. Further details are available at fisheriesireland.ie or the Macroom office (026) 41221. Brown tag regulations come into force on the Waterville catchment from January 17th and remain in place until midnight on May 12th.
Fundraiser
A group of about 60 swimmers, including Tommy Kehoe (11), completed a “20 dip” fundraising challenge during December in aid of Kilmore Quay RNLI on the Little Beach in Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford.
Although some days conditions did not allow, there were enough favourable days for the challenge to be completed safely by the hardy swimmers. Organised by three local women, Melinda Kehoe, Gráinne O’Brien and Simmi Duffin, it was Kehoe’s son who stole the show – even fitting in a dip in the morning before school. So far, he alone has raised €1,140. Overall, almost €5,000 has been raised for this worthy cause and donations can still be made, online, at justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-kilmore-quay-decemberdips.
Kilmore Quay Lifeboat operations manager, John Grace, said: “There is a fantastic community spirit here. Tommy has raised an incredible sum of money, as have all the participants. We cannot thank everyone enough who took part and who support Kilmore Quay RNLI for all their efforts and generosity.”
Fishing weekend
Due to a cancellation, Delphi Club has a great weekend open in January for those looking to get away for some Bahamian sun and bonefish. The dates are from January 21st-24th for three nights and two days’ fishing for up to eight rods. Get in touch directly at info@delphiclubabaco.com.
If you have an angling story to share, please send to me at angling@irishtimes.com.