Protests mark opening of salmon season

THE opening of the salmon fishing season in Killarney, Co Kerry, yesterday was marked by protests by local anglers which followed similar protests recently in other parts of the country.

Up to 20 anglers, including officers of three local angling clubs, mounted their protest at Flesk bridge, carrying placards and handing out stickers calling for an end to salmon drift netting.

They said they wanted to highlight their “increasing anger and frustration” at Government policies. They also claimed there was mismanagement of salmon stocks and attempts to deprive clubs of their leases on the Flesk and Laune rivers.

Anglers’ spokesman Richard Behal said promises from a number of Government ministers that their leases would “issue forthwith” had not been honoured.

He further claimed that promises by succeeding ministers for the marine that no quotas would be imposed on recreational anglers had been blatantly broken.

“Anglers are being pressurised and forced into enduring the pain so that commercial drift netters, who are decimating the stocks, can gain,” Mr Behal said.

He warned there would be further protests if the Government did not renew leases that anglers had held unbroken for 52 years, in Lough Lein, Killarney.

First salmon of the season in Killarney was hooked by Pat Mostyn of Montenotte, Cork, in the Laune. He landed a 12-pounder at 8.20am.

A big turnout of rodmen was evident and one of the youngest, Danny Joy, 18, of Killorglin, Co Kerry, caught a 10lb salmon, also in the Laune.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s meeting of Kerry County Council passed a motion by Fianna Fáil Cllr Ted Fitzgerald calling on Marine and Natural Resources Minister Frank Fahey to buy out drift net licences from salmon fishermen.

Mr Fitzgerald said two-thirds of salmon were caught at sea by drift net while salmon angling had deteriorated over a number of years. He said angling was important for both local people and tourism.

But Fianna Fáil Councillors Paul O’Donoghue and Michael Cahill strongly argued for the continuation of drift netting, stressing its importance to the livelihoods of families in coastal communities.

“Life has already been made difficult enough for drift net fishermen,” Mr Cahill said.

The motion was passed on a 10-6 vote.