Don’t get reeled in by driftnetters’ protests
They fail to mention that over 400,000 salmon are indiscriminately slaughtered at sea each year by netsmen.
Is miles-long monofilament netting at the mouths of our estuaries and rivers their commitment to conservation? It is a bit rich for them to describe anglers’ commitment to conservation as minimal when 877 driftnet men have taken over 70% of the salmon.
The 75,000 anglers, representing 350 angling clubs, have provided protection and maintenance of rivers for many years. What have the driftnet men done? Their comments on the ownership of the rivers for a few is nonsense.
The vast majority of our rivers and lakes are in State ownership. They also fail to mention the loss of an estimated €200m to our economy, where angling tourism has dropped from €184,000 to €70,000.
Teddy Foley
Clahane
Ballyard
Tralee
Co Kerry.
