Fishing restrictions on River Lee as carp almost wiped out at Lough

New angling restrictions have been imposed on a stretch of the River Lee, as one of Ireland’s top carp fisheries faces a virtual wipe-out from a mysterious outbreak.

Fears were expressed last night that it could take years for Cork’s landmark Lough amenity to recover fully from the devastating outbreak, which it is also feared has spread to the privately-owned Belvelly carp fishery near Cobh.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), which is investigating both outbreaks, confirmed last night it had temporarily suspended angling at nearby Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid coarse fisheries in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.