New measures to help conserve salmon and sea trout stocks will come into effect this weekend.
This Saturday, 1 March, will see the introduction of a mandatory catch and release for salmon and sea trout angling, and a ban on salmon and sea trout netting.
Fisheries Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, said in bringing forward the legislation, she had given a great deal of thought to the views expressed by various stakeholder interests and believed the new regulations would be a considerable help with the conservation and protection of wild salmon and sea trout stocks in the future.
The new regulations will apply to all waters within the DCAL jurisdiction with the exception of Lough Melvin, Co Fermanagh which has demonstrated a sustainable surplus of salmon.
On Lough Melvin, anglers can take and keep two salmon or sea trout during the season.
The Minister said protecting wild fisheries remained a priority for her Department and there was already a robust enforcement strategy in place to protect fish stocks and prevent illegal fishing.
She added: “This will be enhanced with a new programme of financial assistance for angling clubs to meet court costs associated with appointing private water bailiffs.
“Private water bailiffs play a key role in the conservation, protection and enforcement work my Department carries out and this financial assistance will help to secure and expand this role.”
Ms Ní Chuilín concluded: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation process and their willingness to rise to challenges facing the future of salmon and sea trout stocks.”
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