PRESS
STATEMENTS 1999
Press Statement Dated October 4th
1999
Total Collapse of Lough Sheelin
Feared
The Shannon Fishery Board is extremely
concerned at the decline in water quality on Lough Sheelin. Reports indicate
that the lake is now suffering the worst Algal Bloom in its history. Fears are
growing that if conditions continue to deteriorate fish stocks will again be
decimated and the ecology of the lake seriously damaged. Despite the best
efforts of the Fisheries Board, Cavan County Council, Anglers and other groups
the problems on Lough Sheelin persist.
The recent Lough Derg/Ree Report and EPA
Report confirms the poor status of Lough Sheelin and shows the Catchment to be
one of the most high risk areas in the Region. Since 1982 the environment on
Lough Sheelin has been knife-edge, but never so close to collapse.
The Shannon Board believes that only a
radical rethink of attitudes towards the discharge of effluent can halt the
drastic decline in our water quality. The Board has been outlining the critical
siuation of our water quality for many years and this has now been confirmed by
two independent reports.
The Board urges the immediate
implementation of the recommendations contained in the Lough Derg, Lough Ree
Catchment Monitoring & Management Systems Group Report which is believed is
the only way forward.
The Board will raise the Sheelin situation
with the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Michael Woods at a
meeting to take place next week to discuss water quality issues. A meeting is
also been sought with Cavan County Council to seek ways in which the crisis on
the lake can be addressed.
As Lough Sheelin's problems are largely
emanating from the farming sector we have also requested a meeting with the IFA
to seek their co-operation and assistance in reducing the input of phosphates to
the lake.
End of Statement
Press
Statement Dated September 6th 1999
Subject:
Radical Rethink in Attitude needed to Halt Drastic Decline in
Water Quality
The Shannon
Regional Fisheries Board at a special meeting stated that it is
having difficulty in maintaining fish stocks with the present
crises in water quality within the Shannon Region
The Shannon Board
reviewed the recently published EPA Report on Water Quality in
Ireland. The Board also reviewed the recently published
Management Proposals on the Lough Derg & Lough Ree Catchment
Monitoring and Management Group. This report confirms the EPA
findings on declining water quality. The Board fully supports the
recommendations of the Lough Derg/Lough Ree Report, but from a
Fisheries point of view it does not go far enough, nonetheless if
implemented would prove an excellent start. These recommendations
must be implemented urgently.
The Board urges
the Government to make the necessary resources available to
ensure the Management Proposals implementation.
The Shannon
Fisheries Board have adopted a series of measures in its
continued efforts to arrest declining fish habitats due to high
levels of pollution.
Included
in these measures are:
A review
of the present utilisation of resources to target
hot spot pollution areas
The Board
also host a major conference to highlight the
present crises on our rivers and lakes,
which are affecting local rural economies through lack of
tourism due to poor angling because of poor water
quality.
The sustainable
management of our waters can only be achieved by the partnership
approach now being adopted for our waters and the fisheries
therein.
The Shannon Board
believes that only a radical rethink of our attitudes towards
pollution control can halt the drastic decline in our water
quality.
End of Statement
For
further comment contact Mr Eamon Cusack, Chief Officer.
Press
Statement Dated February 24th 1999
The Shannon
Regional Fisheries Board wishes to announce that the Minister for
the Marine and Natural Resources Dr Michael Woods T.D. has signed
a Bye-Law deferring the opening of the Trout Angling Season on
Lough Derg and its Tributaries, from the 24th February, 1999 to
the 17th March, 1999
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