At a recent sitting of the District Court held at Fermoy, two men with addresses in Co Tipperary were prosecuted by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), following investigations of illegal fishing activity on the River Aherlow at Angelsboro, Co Limerick on the night of the 2nd of January, 2013.

Mr Noel Power, Fishery Officer with IFI told Judge William Early that both men had been observed fishing under the hours of darkness with a lamp and spear. Having heard the evidence, the Judge convicted both men and issued fines of €350 and €300 and ordered both men to each pay costs amounting to €418.90.

“Wild Atlantic Salmon are part of our heritage,” stated Minister Fergus O’Dowd, “and the killing of spawning fish is an environmental outrage. I once again commend the work of IFI staff, working in remote areas, in the worst of weather, late at night protecting our wild salmon.”

A ststement from Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Interference with fish over their spawning beds is a serious offence and staff from IFI are involved trying to stamp out this activity. Much of this type of activity takes place at night and IFI staff patrol the rivers during winter nights to ensure the protection of fish stocks.

“This illegal fishing is both barbaric and a threat to spawning salmon. Spears and modified forks are sometimes used in tandem with lights in this illegal act. Salmon spawn in our rivers during winter time, usually in shallow fast flowing sections of rivers and streams. The spawning process is both the start and end of the life cycle for salmon. Adult salmon spawn having completed one of the most arduous life cycles in the animal kingdom, having travelled thousands of miles from near the Arctic Circle to return to their native rivers.”