Who We Are

The North Western Regional Fisheries Board is the statutory body responsible for the conservation, protection, development, management, promotion and marketing of inland fisheries and sea angling resources in Ireland’s north western fisheries region. The Board is also responsible for protection of mollusc fisheries in its area of jurisdiction. The region extends from Pigeon Point, Clew Bay, Co. Mayo, to Mullaghmore Head, Co. Sligo and includes the catchment areas of all rivers and lakes which flow into the sea between those two points as well as the sea area from coast to baselines, and 12 miles from baselines out to sea, between the two points. The Board’s headquarters are located in Ballina, Co. Mayo, home of the world famous Moy salmon fishery. (click menu in left margin for details)

About The Region

As well as having valuable commercial fisheries, the region is, undoubtedly, one of Europe's top angling destinations and is considered by many as a game angler’s paradise. The area also offers top class sea angling and has some limited coarse fishing. The north western region is dominated the mighty River Moy which produces about 6,000 salmon to the rod annually. The region attracts salmon anglers from more than thirty countries worldwide each year. Its importance as a producer of salmon is underlined by the fact that almost 30% of Ireland’s total salmon catch is taken in the region and the area also accounts for about 30% of all salmon angling licences purchased in Ireland. Two of the great western lakes, Loughs Conn and Arrow, are also located in this region and both have long established reputations as producers of quality wild brown trout.

As well as the Moy, the region has several other important fisheries which enjoy good runs salmon and sea trout. These range from the beautiful Glencar Lough/Drumcliffe River system in Co. Sligo to the Burrishoole Fishery (Loughs Feagh and Furnace) near Newport in Co. Mayo. In addition to the major fisheries, the region has numerous smaller lakes and rivers which offer a wide variety of fishing for trout. Some of these are stocked lakes but several hold stocks of small, wild trout. A number of small rivers e.g. some of the Moy tributaries, provide fishing for brown trout.

The Resource

Economic Importance

The region’s inland fishery, sea angling and molluscan shellfish resources are of major importance to the economy of the North Western Region as well as providing a highly popular leisure activity for a large number of people throughout the region.   

Salmon Angling

As an indication of the importance of salmon angling alone, 10,013 salmon angling licences were issued in the region in 1997.    A considerable number of additional anglers, who would have purchased national licences elsewhere, also fished in the region.    A total of 80% of licences sold within the region were issued to anglers from outside Counties Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim while 65% were issued to anglers from outside the 26 Counties and 47% to anglers from outside the 32 Counties.   

Commercial Salmon Fishing

While salmon angling is of major economic importance to the region, in terms of tourism, a substantial number of commercial fishermen depend on salmon fishing for a significant part of their annual income.   In 1998, the Board issued 161 commercial salmon licences and these provided seasonal employment for approximately 300 full-time or part-time fishermen.    In addition, considerable spin-off activity arises from commercial salmon fishing in terms of processing, distribution etc.   The Board has particular regard to the fact that many of the commercial salmon fishermen live in remote areas of the region and would not necessarily benefit from increases in angling tourism activity.   

Brown Trout Angling

Brown trout angling on the region’s major lakes attracts thousands of local and visiting anglers each year.   Like salmon angling,   it is of very considerable economic importance, in terms of tourism, as well as providing a highly prized recreational outlet.    Although the quality of trout angling has deteriorated on some large lakes in recent years, one of the principal aims of the Fisheries Board is to redress this decline and to restore the major trout lakes as top class angling fisheries.

Sea Angling

Sea angling is also of major importance to the region and attracts large numbers of visitors from other parts of Ireland and overseas each year.   

More than thirty angling competitions are fished throughout the region annually with

some being held over a 2-

day period.   A number of full-time charter boats operate in the region and these provide direct seasonal employment.    Skippers from many of these boats are actively involved in international conservation and tagging schemes for marine fish (e.g. Skate, Tope, Blue shark etc.). The area is famous for the variety of species available and possesses some of the finest sea angling waters in Europe.    Most sea angling is carried out from boats but shore angling is growing in popularity and offers considerable potential for expansion

.

Coarse Fish Angling

The region’s coarse angling resources are relatively limited, being confined to a number of small lakes in the region.    Nonetheless,   these waters have become increasingly important in recent years as coarse anglers who have traditionally fished in other parts of the country seek to explore new waters.    The Board aims to develop a number of coarse fish waters to meet this demand.

Eel Fishing

The increase in the value of eels in recent years is reflected in the overgrowing demand of eel fishing licences in the region.    In 1997, the Board issued 25 commercial eel fishing licences and the growing demand for eel fishing in general resulted in the introduction of a new bye-law, at national level, which capped the number of long line fishing licences which may be issued in respect of the region at 27.

Oyster Fishing

Oyster fishing is carried out principally in three parts of the region - Clew Bay, the Achill Island area and in Broadhaven Bay.     While the dredging season is a very short one, the region’s highly prized wild oysters provide a significant income for a substantial number of part-time and small-scale fishermen.    In many cases,    oyster dredging is carried out by fishermen who, during the earlier part of the year, fish commercially for salmon.    In other cases, oyster fishing is undertaken by small farmers who do not engage in other types of commercial fishing.    In 1997, the Board issued 144 oyster dredging licences in respect of the above areas but, in 1998, only 73 licences were issued due to collapse in the price of oysters.

Angling Information

All queries relating to angling in Ireland’s North Western Region should be directed to:
 

Chief Executive Officer
The North Western Regional Fisheries Board
Ardnaree House
Abbey Street
Ballina
Co. Mayo
Rep. Of Ireland
 

Tel: 00353 96 22788 Fax: 00353 96 70543
Mobile phone: 00353 87 2302513
e-mail. info@nwrfb.com

• Home • Game Angling • Sea Angling • Coarse Fish Angling • News •