DPP decides not to act over huge seizure of untagged salmon

THE DPP has decided not to bring charges in a case arising from one of the biggest seizures of untagged salmon, it was confirmed yesterday.

A file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions following an investigation by the South Western Regional Fisheries Board into the finding of up to 600 salmon, with a potential value of about €50,000, in a Kerry commercial fish premises, last September.

Fisheries board manager Aidan Barry yesterday said they were “disappointed” at the decision and had written to the DPP asking for clarification.

Anglers reacted angrily, with Jerome Dowling, of the Kerry Angling Federation, saying it raised serious issues.

“The mind boggles at how no action is being taken, with so many salmon untagged and unaccounted for,” he added.

“It is proof once again that the fishery board system, as constituted, is a total failure.”

There’s a legal obligation on fishermen to tag all salmon before selling them.

Mr Barry declined to comment on reports that the seized salmon had been sold back to the company at the centre of the investigation.

“We’ve sought separate legal advice on the forfeiture of the fish which will follow on from the DPP’s decision,” he stated.

The three-ton salmon haul was described by the board, at the time, as the biggest seizure of fish in its area in 10 years.

Meanwhile, there are signs of an increase in illegal fishing as the salmon run gains momentum.

Fishery board staff were called to the Cromane area of Co Kerry on Tuesday night after a number of boats had been seen fishing with nets in Castlemaine Harbour. Two boats were inspected, but no illegal nets were found.

Fishery protection staff arrived too late to apprehend the people involved.

Last month, the Kerry Angling Federation and the Stop Drift Nets Now Campaign obtained a High Court injunction against a fishery board move to allow net salmon fishing in Castlemaine Harbour.