‘Inland Fisheries Ireland exit could spell disaster for angling’

INLAND Fisheries Ireland’s intention to exit rainbow and brown trout farming in Ireland could spell disaster for local angling clubs, tourism and employment a Kerry TD has warned.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae claimed that many people, including anglers, are unaware that this is even happening and warned it spell the end of all sporting angling venues”.

“The Inland Fisheries Ireland’s proposal to exit rainbow and brown trout farming here will affect many small fishing clubs based on small lakes all over Ireland,” Deputy Healy-Rae warned.

“The quality and fish husbandry being supplied by these fish farms are amongst the best in Europe. There is no alternative in Ireland for the IFI supply of stocked fish for these lakes.” Deputy Healy-Rae said that without the supply of sporting stocked trout, the lakes and their club members will dwindle away and eventually cease to exist.

“This situation is a very serious threat to the local economies of many rural areas and it could actually be compared to the local hurling or football club closing down,” he said, saying that the lakes affected in the Kerry area include Lough Fadda, Molls Gap, Lough Barfinnihy, The Eclipse CT and Lough Caun.

The south Kerry deputy confirmed that he has been in contact with the Department about the matter, insisting that this invaluable service has been in existence for decades and should not be stopped now.