SAVE OUR ANGLING IRELAND petition

saveourangling

hi all,
we call on all anglers to lend your support to our campign to save our sport,
thanks and tightlines,


online petition,http://www.petitiononline.com/angler2/petition.html

website, http://www.saveourangling.webs.com/

Zzippy

Some good points in your letter to the Minister, but some spurious and frankly disingenuous claims too.

We agree in principal with your Department’s decision to amalgamate the fisheries boards but we are concerned that the same (mis) management teams within these boards will remain in the newly constructed quango, when there is clearly a need for a root and branch overhaul and the employment of some new people. In the face of the almost catastrophic collapse in returning salmon numbers, fisheries management needs new faces with fresh ideas, with a vision for future angling in Ireland, and the drive to implement it.

So now the regional fisheries boards are responsible for the decline in salmon stocks? I suppose they're the cause of eutrophication from agriculture and forestry, the lack of investment in sewage treatment works, the increase in high seas netting, the reduced survival at sea, and global warming itself? And do you know what a quango is?

Quango or qango is an acronym (variously spelt out as quasi non-governmental organisation, quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation) used notably in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and elsewhere to label colloquially an organisation to which government has devolved power

The fisheries boards do not fit any of the criteria in that definition.

During the 2009 salmon season, around the country anglers have noticed a significant upsurge in illegal netting and other forms of poaching on our rivers. We have also noticed fewer fishery officer patrols and checks to counter this activity.

So have the fisheries officers, in fact during the dry weather in June illegal netting was back to levels not seen since pre-Celtic Tiger days. Once the rain came in July this was not possible due to floods in rivers, but patrols were at an all-time high level all summer in our area. Perhaps the reason you didn't notice them was because a lot of night patrols were carried out, as this is typically when illegal fishing takes place.

We suggest to you minister that we need more fishery officers on the beat, more patrols to combat illegal netting and poaching, the setting up of a national helpline for reporting illegal fishing, netting, and pollution. We then need this information acted upon as the current system of ringing regional boards invariably leads to no action being taken. The level of illegal netting and poaching is not reflected in the number of cases being brought before the courts, nor in the number of on-the-spot fines, handed out by the regional fisheries officers.

Thats a serious allegation, and can't be backed up. It also does a disservice to hardworking fishery officers. We take any reports seriously, and investigate them immediately. If some slip through then fair enough, complain to the minister, but don't make sweeping generalisations by using words such as invariably.

Furthermore, with stocks so low and depleting year-on-year, the incomprehensible issuing, by regional fisheries boards, of snap and draft net salmon licences for our estuaries and rivers MUST be addressed. When the government, in the face of huge international pressure, banned drift netting for salmon they missed the perfect opportunity to cease all interceptory netting. The tiny sum earned by the exchequer in licence fees is a pittance compared to the tourism income generated by the World-class salmon angling we have in Ireland.

Good point, except for one thing - the RFBs have no choice but to issue the commercial licences, as government policy is to permit commercial fishing where a catchable surplus is available. Slagging off fishery boards to the minister for something that is the minister's fault is a bit silly.

We call on the department to transfer the ability of fisheries boards to investigate their own staff and operations over to the Office of the Ombudsman for all complaints against board staff. The current situation of chairmen, CEOs and inspectors investigating their own officers is open to bias and may lead to complaints not being investigated fully.

Would be more than happy to see this happen.

We urge you as minister to ban fish farming near where juvenile salmon and sea-trout pass during migration. The link between salmon farming and the total collapse of the West’s sea-trout stocks in the late 1980s is a matter of record. Scientific research suggests that the number of wild salmon surviving and returning to spawn decreased by 50% or greater on average compared to similar rivers with no fish farms. Aquaculture is an important employer in economically challenged areas of the West, but so is angling tourism. There has to be much more thought about the siting of salmon cages so that our precious resource isn’t unduly impacted.

Now you're talking!

Anglers are currently paying a 100% levy on our rod licence as a ‘Conservation Fee’. We feel that this money is being squandered and not put to the correct use. From what we can ascertain, the conservation fee has been spent on fish counters that don't work, and on fleets of new 4x4s. What about habitat improvement or licence buy-outs? We need new thinking on the spending of this money, preferably by people with scientific fisheries experience and not career bureaucrats.

Can you provide any instances of where conservation levy money was spent on 4x4s? Another misleading allegation. The conservation money is ring fences and spent only on projects on salmon rivers. Yes a lot of counters have been built, but I don't know of any in our region that don't work. Money has also been spent on habitat improvement on rivers here. A licence buy out would only be possible if the Minister introduced legislation.

We ask you to explore the possibility of reducing the cost of one and three day rod licenses as the current prices are having a disastrous effect on bringing new anglers into our sport, and acts as a disincentive to the tourist angler. We also urge you to reduce the cost of juvenile licences to attract the youth into our sport and ensure that salmon angling has a future.

Agreed.

Minister Ryan, with you in your current office and with your impressive green credentials, the angling community has potentially the most sympathetic and understanding minister in many years. We urge you to address our concerns to ensure that Ireland remains at the top of the list for visiting angling tourists and to ensure that nationally, angling remains strong.

I too had hope that the Greens would bring some green policies to government, but have been disillusioned. I wouldn't hold your breath.

stevenmu

I am inclined to agree with Zzippy, I think there's too much knocking of the fisheries boards in the petition for me personally. I have to admit I don't know much about it/them, but my feeling is that the real problem with it/them is the lack of funding and resources. The only real knowledge of them I'd have is from what I've picked up on this and other Irish based forums

I do agree with everything else though, and I'd gladly sign such a petition with the fishery board stuff removed, or maybe a section about increasing funding?

coolwings

Been there, done the talking, worked on the committees, ... several times several places.
It boils down to who does the work.
I can catch any poachers working on my fishing places, photograph, get vehicle numbers, and report them. Poachers know I am serious, and tend not to come back.

Pollution cases are harder, and I believe the FBs do their best against a court presumption of innocence, and requirements for ever increasing burden of proof.
The fishery boards have always reacted to any call I made over the past 20+ years.

If they had committment from government instead of sabotage by implementation of conflicting policies elsewhere the FBs would have a better reputation IMO. But they can't exactly criticise their bosses can they? Someone else has to do that. Us.

So I agree with bending the ear of politicians. But not this - it's ineffective.
The weapon of choice against bad government is an active press. If everyone signing this petition, took the trouble to write a readable, accurate letter of complaint to their papers, and broadcasters, copying it to their local TD, we would not be in this situation in the first place.
But then, we already have the fisheries that our own committment of effort and money has earned, don't we?

Sfinn

I would also have to agree with the previous gentlemen. The fishery board stuff would need improving etc etc, before i could commit.

In relation to the fishery boards, any time I've phone about pollution or poachers they have been very responsive. This year i have met more fishery officers than ever before on our club river and also at sea. These lads and ladies do great work!!

Finally, its the anglers themselves who are most to blame. The vast majority take and put nothing back,and I'm not talking about releasing fish here. I've been involve with several organisations, and its always the same few who provide their time in promoting their sport, either through river enhancements, encouraging youth etc. The view on catch and release is appalling compared to other countries. Its very easy to turn away and say it not my problem. Anglers are their own worse enemy!!!!

Unless there is a major change in attitude and direction when it comes to our waterways i'm afraid its a loss cause. I hope, I'm not the one who has to explain to my grand children what happen to Corrib, Mask, etc or why our salmonid fisheries no longer exist.

Finally banning commercial activities, is not the full answer either. Its more complicated then this, feeding at sea, number of smolts surviving, predator control (has anyone notice the increase in the seal population) and finally the quality of our rivers with respect to water and spawning gravel. The vast majority of rivers in the west of Ireland (Connemara I'm referring too) have very little work performed on spawning beds and the number of areas available has reduce considerably. Its here i believe that action is required, no spawning- less smolts, less smolts less fish returning. Drift nets were not entirely to blame either, catches remained fairly constant throughout the sixties, seventies, and early eighties until the nineties. What happen during this period from the eighties until the nineties that everything collapsed!! Galway bay was renowned as a prawn fishery, its now dead, in the mid eighties a mass explosion occurred in shrimp fishing along the west coast, cods stock the same, sandeels, herring, mackerel, I could continue. Unless that balance is address I'm afraid that stocks will reduce further.

Answer this one question why did the number in 2-3lbs grilse increase this year? I've never in all my life caught a 2lb grilse until this season:eek:

slan go foil

saveourangling

to the person who claims to be a fisheries member,the content of this letter represents a NATIONAL PROBLEM.anglers from the western region have voiced their concerns which i will list.

*culling by gill net or electro fishing pike in the corrib,what other species of fish were caught up on this culling process?

*as you clearly pointed out very few if any day time patrols because in the boards minds poaching is mainly confined to night time hours,so anglers chances of being checked during the day are slim or poachers working away before dark falls.

*anbally fishery,how many out of the 200 members are locals?how many local day tickets do they issue each year to local anglers?or is it a closed shop only for non locals .

*tourist angling on corrib and fishing is in shocking decline.but you know this already and failed to add it to your story.

*galway weir if their is no names down for fishing why is people phoning and being told ALL FISHING IS FULLY BOOKED FOR MONTHS?when the tax payer bought the place for the people,do you have to come from a certain background to fish galway weir?

*why would the board start a fishing awareness week learning the audience how to poach,not a good idea when stocks are in decline is it?
link http://www.wrfb.ie/Publications/Press/FishingAwarenessWeekendPressRelease25-8-09.html
Friday August 28

A Talk on Traditional Poaching in Galway City and County, by Pat Gorman, Inspector with the Western Regional Fisheries Board. Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay, 10am.

This talk, given as part of National Heritage Week, will give an insight into traditional methods of poaching salmon and other illegal fishing activities in Galway over the last couple of centuries. The speaker, Pat Gorman, is an Inspector with the WRFB, with many years experience of fisheries protection work, and a vast knowledge of poaching methods and the poaching fraternity in Galway.





some food for thought

Zzippy

I have a good idea you are the same person who contributes on another forum I have been reading this week, and for that reason I have little time for your opinions - most of which are unsubstantiated rants against the fisheries boards. Why did you not debate the points I raised about your letter, rather than broaden the debate with more issues, NONE of which are raised in the letter to the minister, which is the topic?

saveourangling wrote: »

to the person who claims to be a fisheries member,the content of this letter represents a NATIONAL PROBLEM.anglers from the western region have voiced their concerns which i will list.

*culling by gill net or electro fishing pike in the corrib,what other species of fish were caught up on this culling process?

If you don't agree with pike removal, start a new topic. Its not raised in your letter to the Minister, so its off topic.

saveourangling wrote: »

*as you clearly pointed out very few if any day time patrols because in the boards minds poaching is mainly confined to night time hours,so anglers chances of being checked during the day are slim or poachers working away before dark falls.

Please don't misquote me, I never said that. I said there were a lot of night time patrols - that does not mean very few or no daytime patrols.

saveourangling wrote: »

*anbally fishery,how many out of the 200 members are locals?how many local day tickets do they issue each year to local anglers?or is it a closed shop only for non locals .

That is a club fishery, and its the clubs business who they allow to join. Its nothing to do with either fisheries boards, the minister, or your petition. So off topic. If the club doesn't consider someone a suitable person to be a member they are entitled to refuse them. If you're upset about not being allowed to join take it up with the club, not on here.

saveourangling wrote: »

*tourist angling on corrib and fishing is in shocking decline.but you know this already and failed to add it to your story.

Tourist angling nationally is in decline, not just on Corrib. I didn't add it to my "story" because I wasn't telling a story, I was commenting on your post - some of my comments were positive, if you check.
By the way, angling on Corrib was the best for a decade this year.

saveourangling wrote: »

*galway weir if their is no names down for fishing why is people phoning and being told ALL FISHING IS FULLY BOOKED FOR MONTHS?when the tax payer bought the place for the people,do you have to come from a certain background to fish galway weir?

This doesn't make sense. If people were being turned away but no one was down to fish it, would you not see the Weir empty? I hate to point out the obvious, but the Weir is fully booked at peak season. As with the vast majority of managed fisheries, public and private, regular visitors are offered first call on their preferred dates. Do you think you can just waltz in and get fishing in the middle of July ahead of guys who have fished that day for 20 years? Evening fishing (fly only) is available at short notice (1-2 weeks usually), its a good way to get started fishing there.
But again, this is off topic and not related to your petition.

saveourangling wrote: »

*why would the board start a fishing awareness week learning the audience how to poach,not a good idea when stocks are in decline is it?
link http://www.wrfb.ie/Publications/Press/FishingAwarenessWeekendPressRelease25-8-09.html
Friday August 28

A Talk on Traditional Poaching in Galway City and County, by Pat Gorman, Inspector with the Western Regional Fisheries Board. Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay, 10am.
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Were you at this talk? I seriously doubt it, because there is no way anyone who attended would have learned how to poach fish. It was a historical talk about poaching and the people involved on both sides. Get a grip if you think the fishery inspector who gave the talk would actually give out helpful hints on poaching.
But YET AGAIN this is off topic and not related to the petition.

I challenge you to reread my first post and actually debate the points I raised. You seem to be only capable of throwing allegations around without being able to debate the allegations in detail - if you throw enough mud some is bound to stick eh? I look forward to reading an intelligent thought out response to my original comments, not some more mud slinging that goes further off topic.

saveourangling

Zzippy wrote: »

I have a good idea you are the same person who contributes on another forum I have been reading this week, and for that reason I have little time for your opinions - most of which are unsubstantiated rants against the fisheries boards. Why did you not debate the points I raised about your letter, rather than broaden the debate with more issues, NONE of which are raised in the letter to the minister, which is the topic?

THESE ARE THE CONCERNS OF ANGLERS IN THE WESTERN REGION,LETTER IS COMPILED ON A NATIONAL LEVEL,



If you don't agree with pike removal, start a new topic. Its not raised in your letter to the Minister, so its off topic.

THESE ARE THE CONCERNS OF COARSE ANGLERS IN THE WESTERN REGION



Please don't misquote me, I never said that. I said there were a lot of night time patrols - that does not mean very few or no daytime patrols.

WHAT YOU STATED IS THEIR FOR ALL TO SEE!



That is a club fishery, and its the clubs business who they allow to join. Its nothing to do with either fisheries boards, the minister, or your petition. So off topic. If the club doesn't consider someone a suitable person to be a member they are entitled to refuse them. If you're upset about not being allowed to join take it up with the club, not on here.

WHO IS BEHIND THIS CLUB AND HOW MANY FISH BOARD MEMBERS IN THIS CLUB?HOW MANY LOCAL DAY TICKETS HAVE BEEN SOLD TO LOCALS?DOES THE FISH BOARD NOT HAVE THEIR OWN SIGNS ON FAHYS BRIDGE ADVERTISING THEIR WATER?PLUS THIS NOT ABOUT MEMBERSHIP BUT LOCAL DAY TICKETS TO LOCALS,WHICH AS YOU CLAIM TO BE A FISH OFFICER YOU WILL BE AWARE THIS IS ILLEGAL BY FISH BOARD CLUB.



Tourist angling nationally is in decline, not just on Corrib. I didn't add it to my "story" because I wasn't telling a story, I was commenting on your post - some of my comments were positive, if you check.
By the way, angling on Corrib was the best for a decade this year.

TOURIST NUMBERS ARE DOWN TO AN ALL TIME LOW,



This doesn't make sense. If people were being turned away but no one was down to fish it, would you not see the Weir empty? I hate to point out the obvious, but the Weir is fully booked at peak season. As with the vast majority of managed fisheries, public and private, regular visitors are offered first call on their preferred dates. Do you think you can just waltz in and get fishing in the middle of July ahead of guys who have fished that day for 20 years? Evening fishing (fly only) is available at short notice (1-2 weeks usually), its a good way to get started fishing there.
But again, this is off topic and not related to your petition.

IT IS RELATED TO OUR PETITION,WE CALL ON THE MINISTER TO HAND OVER POWERS OF INVESTIGATE ,SO ALL COMPLAINTS CAN BE PROPERLY INVESTIGATED,WHICH INCLUDES LOCALS BEING REFUSED ANGLING EVEN IN THE EVENING WHEN THEIR IS NO NAMES IN THE BOOK FOR FISHING,THESE ARE THE ANGLERS WHO PAY INTO THE WRFB TO KEEP IT GOING,AGAIN WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WILL SWEAR ON OATH TO THIS!



Were you at this talk? I seriously doubt it, because there is no way anyone who attended would have learned how to poach fish. It was a historical talk about poaching and the people involved on both sides. Get a grip if you think the fishery inspector who gave the talk would actually give out helpful hints on poaching.
But YET AGAIN this is off topic and not related to the petition.

I challenge you to reread my first post and actually debate the points I raised. You seem to be only capable of throwing allegations around without being able to debate the allegations in detail - if you throw enough mud some is bound to stick eh? I look forward to reading an intelligent thought out response to my original comments, not some more mud slinging that goes further off topic.

Friday August 28

A Talk on Traditional Poaching in Galway City and County, by Pat Gorman, Inspector with the Western Regional Fisheries Board. Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay, 10am.
THEN ITS FALSE ADVERTISING!

Zzippy

saveourangling wrote: »

Friday August 28

A Talk on Traditional Poaching in Galway City and County, by Pat Gorman, Inspector with the Western Regional Fisheries Board. Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay, 10am.
THEN ITS FALSE ADVERTISING!

As I thought. You can't debate intelligently on the subject. And typing in caps is frowned on around here - no need to shout.

saveourangling

"Perhaps the reason you didn't notice them was because a lot of night patrols were carried out, as this is typically when illegal fishing takes place."

i never noticed ANY patrols whatsoever,a recent poll held amongst anglers ,the top two resounding highest votes was no checks and second in the poll was 1-5 checks in a season,which clearly suggests fisheries officer patrols are at an all time low on our lakes and rivers,unless of course you go to a state run fishery and they need names in their note book to make them look as if their working.

so how do we get the poachers off the rivers during the day? ring the night shift crew,after all they will be in bed during the day because they are on nightshift!



the reason i didnt notice them this year is quite clear they were not around!i would have a better chance of meeting lord lucan than a fisheries officer.

fishmongars either dont come out to clean out fish stocks in high water or during the day!pull the other one

with these statements coming from a person claiming to be a fisheries officer,no wonder our stocks and angling is in current mess it is today,
we need fresh faces with fresh ideas in these boards or their will be no stocks of fish left.

Zzippy

So you personally didn't meet any fishery officers during the season? And that enables you to decide that there are no fishery officers patrolling?? :rolleyes: You must be on the river 24/7 to be able to say that.... nah didn't think so.

I notice you haven't addressed the other points I made. One in particular - can you provide one instance of where conservation stamp money was used to purchase 4x4s??? Because thats a big claim to make - can you back it up with proof? I'll save you the hassle - there is none, because your claim is bullshit. Like a lot of the stuff you write, particularly on another forum.

ironbluedun

well lads i often have heard it said that anglers cant agree on the colour of ****e. whoever said that was right.
the 'conservation stamp' is just yet another tax. i am salmon and trout fishing for nearly 30 years and i think there are some good hardworkin people in the boards who definately do a good job. on the otherside i have also seen huge wastage, for example the so called 'development' work on the upper Moy that in my opinion actually caused more harm than good. Lest we never forget the fishery boards sat back and allowed lough sheelin to be filled with pig slurry, they will never be forgiven for this.

saveourangling

Zzippy wrote: »

So you personally didn't meet any fishery officers during the season? And that enables you to decide that there are no fishery officers patrolling?? :rolleyes: You must be on the river 24/7 to be able to say that.... nah didn't think so.

I notice you haven't addressed the other points I made. One in particular - can you provide one instance of where conservation stamp money was used to purchase 4x4s??? Because thats a big claim to make - can you back it up with proof? I'll save you the hassle - there is none, because your claim is bullshit. Like a lot of the stuff you write, particularly on another forum.

tbh ,i would take everything you say with a pinch of salt,if you want to talk about other forums lets go for it,will we start with the fake handles you have, to push a failed agenda,next you will be debating with yourself,very sad the fisheries board have to make false profiles having to flee from one handle to another because they couldnt handle the truth.

on the other forum you would have seen the poll and the comments left,so pull the other one again.put it like this i have been on the river far more times than you have been.if you want to say 24/7 then thats the facts,

on your question about 4x4s you have already had that answer,as you were told LETTER IS COMPILED ON A NATIONAL LEVEL,

maybe you should read back and answer the questions i put to you about anbally fisheries board club or the galway weir,simple reason why you never answered your masters wont allow you to answer,

saveourangling

ironbluedun wrote: »

well lads i often have heard it said that anglers cant agree on the colour of ****e. whoever said that was right.
the 'conservation stamp' is just yet another tax. i am salmon and trout fishing for nearly 30 years and i think there are some good hardworkin people in the boards who definately do a good job. on the otherside i have also seen huge wastage, for example the so called 'development' work on the upper Moy that in my opinion actually caused more harm than good. Lest we never forget the fishery boards sat back and allowed lough sheelin to be filled with pig slurry, they will never be forgiven for this.

ironbluedun,
couldnt agree more with you,their is some hard working lads in these boards,problem is they cant expose what is happening up above their rank in fear of losing their job or being outcasted by their co-workers.the power to investigate must be handed over to another body asap,the last thing anyone wants to see is good hard working people losing their jobs,while the money wasters up the ladder stay in their positions to carry on racking our fishing.
when you talk about the moy region may i draw your attention to this piece of news that happen this year,link http://saveourangling.webs.com/news.htm
the tax we currently pay on our license is to pay for the failures of previous governments and the money wasters in these boards,after all they got enough tax and vat off the drift netters down through the years to use to enhance our inland fisheries,

Zzippy

saveourangling wrote: »

tbh ,i would take everything you say with a pinch of salt,if you want to talk about other forums lets go for it,will we start with the fake handles you have, to push a failed agenda,next you will be debating with yourself,very sad the fisheries board have to make false profiles having to flee from one handle to another because they couldnt handle the truth.

on the other forum you would have seen the poll and the comments left,so pull the other one again.put it like this i have been on the river far more times than you have been.if you want to say 24/7 then thats the facts,

on your question about 4x4s you have already had that answer,as you were told LETTER IS COMPILED ON A NATIONAL LEVEL,

maybe you should read back and answer the questions i put to you about anbally fisheries board club or the galway weir,simple reason why you never answered your masters wont allow you to answer,

This is not a professional forum, and as such I post here in a personal capacity. My views do not necessarily represent those of my employer. As an angler myself, I am as entitled to post here as you are. I don't, however, have to agree with you, as surprising as that may seem. From the first few replies on this thread, it seems there are several other posters here who don't agree with you either.

Yet again you won't debate the topic, deal directly with the original points I raised, or answer any direct questions. Going by your username I take it that you were involved in the drafting of this letter, therefore you must know some details about these magic 4x4s that you claim were bought with conservation stamp money. Can you even say what region they were bought in???

The only handle I have is this one, I am not a member of that other forum - yet. Why would I want to debate with you there when you have posted personal abuse of fisheries staff there - libelous material. You will find this site a bit less tolerant of the type of personal abuse you engage in.
And if we are talking about fake handles, you couldn't even sign your own name to your own petition. How sad is that?

Now, if you read back, you will see that I did answer your question about the Anbally club - they are a club and entitled to admit who they like as members. If you're not welcome in the club maybe there is a very good reason. AFAIK there are day and weekly permits available from the secretary of the club. As for the weir, I don't work there and I'm not the fishery manager, so I can't speak for him. But I would say if you're not welcome there that again there is a very good reason for it.

I will stress again, I'm posting in a personal capacity. So I'm not speaking for the board. I'm speaking for myself, and defending a lot of fishery staff that I believe you are unfairly portraying as either inefficient, corrupt or unprofessional. You are also blaming the boards for things that are outside their control, such as issuing commercial licences, when that is dictated by the department. When this is pointed out to you, you have buried your head in the sand and ignored those comments, and brought in other issues that are not dealt with in your letter. You have also made allegations that you can't or won't back up, and until you do so your petition is worthless. Its pretty worthless anyway since you won't even sign it.

saveourangling

Zzippy wrote: »

This is not a professional forum, and as such I post here in a personal capacity. My views do not necessarily represent those of my employer. As an angler myself, I am as entitled to post here as you are. I don't, however, have to agree with you, as surprising as that may seem. From the first few replies on this thread, it seems there are several other posters here who don't agree with you either.

Yet again you won't debate the topic, deal directly with the original points I raised, or answer any direct questions. Going by your username I take it that you were involved in the drafting of this letter, therefore you must know some details about these magic 4x4s that you claim were bought with conservation stamp money. Can you even say what region they were bought in???

The only handle I have is this one, I am not a member of that other forum - yet. Why would I want to debate with you there when you have posted personal abuse of fisheries staff there - libelous material. You will find this site a bit less tolerant of the type of personal abuse you engage in.
And if we are talking about fake handles, you couldn't even sign your own name to your own petition. How sad is that?

Now, if you read back, you will see that I did answer your question about the Anbally club - they are a club and entitled to admit who they like as members. If you're not welcome in the club maybe there is a very good reason. AFAIK there are day and weekly permits available from the secretary of the club. As for the weir, I don't work there and I'm not the fishery manager, so I can't speak for him. But I would say if you're not welcome there that again there is a very good reason for it.

I will stress again, I'm posting in a personal capacity. So I'm not speaking for the board. I'm speaking for myself, and defending a lot of fishery staff that I believe you are unfairly portraying as either inefficient, corrupt or unprofessional. You are also blaming the boards for things that are outside their control, such as issuing commercial licences, when that is dictated by the department. When this is pointed out to you, you have buried your head in the sand and ignored those comments, and brought in other issues that are not dealt with in your letter. You have also made allegations that you can't or won't back up, and until you do so your petition is worthless. Its pretty worthless anyway since you won't even sign it.

still waiting on an answer about anbally club,you still talk about membership,when no one bar yourself mentioned it,you seem to be a wee bit slow on the pick up so i will say it YET AGAIN,how many members of anbally club are fisheries board?why have the fb got signs on fahys bridge claiming its theirs?how many local day tickets have the board issued to locals?how many locals are members out of the 200 members?why has the fb so not moved against the illegal refusal of day tickets to locals on anbally?(because they can hardly take themselves to court)

maybe if you read the letter you understand what is being said you will then not be presuming like you are on this thread,

again the letter is wrote on a national level,can you not cop that?

you claim i have or have not signed this petition,what business is it of yours?going by your fake profiles you could be a whole host of people.

never forget poaching and fishmongoring is mainly happening at nights good lad our stocks will survive afterall,great theory indeed.another education gone down the tubes,i will tell all poachers and fishmongors to work away during the day but not at night because thats when the stakeouts from fb happen,you make me laugh,

at least we agree that powers to investigate should be transferred that will be an interesting day,and if i had my way in writing to the minister i would also ask that ALL LOGBOOKS BE RETURNED TO A DIFFERENT GROUP FOR CHECKING,


why do you want to listen to anglers concerns now?the wrfb has not been very fast coming in calling all the anglers to a agm to get a better relationship,listen to their concerns ,work with anglers,etc after all the salmon fishing people in that region keep the board going on license fees,


"The only handle I have is this one, I am not a member of that other forum - yet."

i take it another profile is on its way,very greedy most users settle for one handle

Zzippy

You're wasting our time now, you answer a question with a question, and can't back up your allegations. The benefits of internet discussion boards are wasted on you.

saveourangling

"This is not a professional forum, and as such I post here in a personal capacity. My views do not necessarily represent those of my employer"

let me point out to you after you ranting how good the wrfb are,you claim to be a fisheries member attached to the western regional fisheries board,posting on an internet forum in a section under angling,you gave your answers both as a member of the fisheries board and an angler,which includes the statement about patrols at night,fishing club not issuing local tickets to locals as i quite rightly pointed out to you was illegal activity,instead you ranted about membership etc which has nothing whatsoever to do with the question,you also attempt to push a libel threat towards me,which i have taken as a threat and will act upon in due course,you have continued pushing a wrfb agenda concerning our letter to the minister,look son this letter is only the start of our campign believe me their will be a lot more to come,you and your masters will not censor us ,

famoussheamus

I do think the number of anglers visiting the larger lakes is down, but is not bound to with dwindling tourist numbers to Ireland. Fishing in Corrib was probably the best in the last 6 years. Mask did not fish as well as other years yet Carra had a very good season despite poor fly hatches.
Fishery officers in the area are vigilant with regular day and night checks not only on illegal angling but on illegal gravel removal, pollution patrols, etc (although fishery fines for pollution are minuscule compared with EPA and county council legislation). Most people possess the mobile number of at least one fishery officer to call on at any time. People are encouraged by the officers to be vigilant and report incidents immediately. This design ensures fairness throughout the angling fraternity.
Protection of fisheries is only part of the fishery officers role as habitat work on upgrading spawning and nursery areas are also conducted throughout the Summer months in conjunction with the local angling clubs.