PRESS STATEMENTS 2000

Press Statement dated August 28th, 2000

Over one thousand Trout and Coarse Fish have been killed on the Abhann na Feorish River

Over one thousand Trout and Coarse Fish have been killed on the Abhann na Feorish River ( a tributary of the Breedogue River) in Co Roscommon by pollution over the weekend.

Officers of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board are presently trying to identify the cause of the fish kill which occurred along a four mile stretch of the river between Bellangare and the Breedogue River

The River which now appears to be totally wiped out by this outbreak of pollution was one which had been singled out as a prime Trout Spawning River some years ago and on which over £20,000 was spent by the Fishery Board on salmonid rehabilitation works. 

Report Ends

Contact Mr Eamon Cusack CEO at 061 455171 OR 087 2425017 for further information

Press Statement dated August 24th, 2000

Stocking of the Nenagh River

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in conjunction with the ESB and Aventis Pharma (Nenagh) Ltd will today conduct a major stocking initiative on the Nenagh River. Approximately 10,000 Juvenile Brown Trout will be stocked into the river along various stretches. The event will commence at 12.00 noon in the offices of Aventis Pharma (Nenagh) Ltd prior to the stocking out of fish.

The Nenagh River has suffered water quality and habitat difficulties over the years and this has resulted in reduced fish stocks. Today's stocking is a measure to improve interim stocks of trout in the Nenagh River. However, in the longer term the ESB, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and the local angling community are presently considering proposals for remedial works on the Nenagh River.

These works would include stream and nursery rehabilitation, which would have the effect of improving the overall trout stocks in the Nenagh River catchment system permanently. Stream rehabilitation has been carried out by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board on other Brown Trout Fisheries throughout the Shannon Region and has proved very successful.

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board would like to thank the ESB and Aventis Pharma (Nenagh) Ltd for the support, sponsorship and co-operation in organising today’s event and look forward to their continued support for future initiatives on the Nenagh River.

Statement Ends

Further Information contact: Mr Niall Collins Assistant CEO AT 086 8355219 or Mr Matt Nolan, Development Inspector at 087 2429417 

Shannon Fisheries Board enlists Pupils to keep rivers clean

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board held a competition recently for National Schools within the Mulkear River Catchment. The competition was in conjunction with a relatively new pilot project called the Mulkear Catchment Management Project. (The actual project is to ensure that the Mulkear River and all its tributaries, for example the Dead, Bilboa and Newport are looked after in an environmentally sustainable way. For example that the water is free from pollution and that fish and other wildlife and their habitats will be protected.

The competition was to design a logo for the Mulkear Project, and to write a poem or story about the importance of keeping our rivers clean.

We had a great response, with lots of fabulous pictures and poems and some stories, making it very difficult to pick the winning entries. It was also clear to see from all the entries that the children are very aware of the importance of keeping rivers clean and pollution free.

SEE LIST Overleaf for all the prize winners, NO. 1 was chosen as the logo winner.

PRIZES were presented today in Killinure National School, Brittas, Co. Limerick, There were 4 winners from this school. SEE LIST *

One of the winners from the Convent Primary School Cappamore, Rosaleen Walsh came along to Killinure to receive her prize, SEE LIST *

Some of the schools had already closed for the holidays, so were unable to come along to the prize giving. Thomas Dunne from Bilboa N. School was the Winner whose drawing will be adapted for use as the project logo!

SPONSORS WERE : ESB Fisheries, BCS Computers, CARA computers and the Shannon Reg. Fishery Board.

Logo Winner – 1^st Prize winner – Thomas Dunne, 6^th class, age 12 Bilboa National School, Cappamore . (fish drawing and poem ) wins a 3-Person Tent – prize sponsored by the ESB Fisheries, Ardnacrusha

Other winning entries

1. Eoin Ryan , 5^th class, age 11 Bilboa NS, Cappamore ( catchment scene & poem) £50 voucher for the limerick sports store – sponsored by the ESB Fisheries, Ardnacrusha

2. Aoife Bartley, 4^th class, age 10, Killinure NS, Brittas, Co. Limerick (River scene picture) wins a Canon Camera, sponsored by BCS computers, Limerick

3. Maura O’Dea, age 9, Cloverfield NS, Pallas green, ( slogan – ‘Care for the Mulkear’ & duck) wins a pair of Tricon Binoculars – sponsored by CARA the Computer People

4. Courtney Mc Donagh, 4^th class, age 11, Bilboa National school (River picture & poem) wins a purple file box and personal stereo – sponsored by Justin Herbert, office supplies Limerick.

5. Caroline Hickey, 3^rd class, age 10, Killinure National School, Brittas ( Slogan –‘Don’t be mean, keep it clean, help the fish in the stream’ ) wins a lovely blue rucksack – sponsored by CARA.

We had lots of entries and wanted to pick more winners, so we did – they are as follows:

6. Rosaleen Walsh, 6^th class, age 12, Convent primary school, Cappamore ( River picture) wins a book on fishing- sponsored by SRFB

7. Ingrid Laffan, 6^th class, age 12, Cloverfield NS, Pallas green. (Story about pollution and slogan – Building a new future for our fish) wins a book on fishing - sponsored by SRFB

8. Seamus Hickey, 6^th class, age 12, Killinure NS, Brittas. ( Poem titled – Keep the river clean) wins a book on fishing – sponsored by the SRFB

9. Jessica Lucas, age 6 , Bilboa NS, Cappamore, (fish picture) wins a video on Underwater Animals – sponsored by SRFB

10. Nicola Butler, age 8 , Killinure NS, ( Poem – titled the importance of keeping our rivers clean ) wins a video on Seashore animals sponsored by SRFB

Badge winners:

Emma O’Connor – Convent Primary School – Cappamore, Fiona Kennedy – Convent of Mercy Primary school - Newport

The first meeting of the new Board of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board was held yesterday in Co Roscommon. Unanimously elected, as chairperson was Mr Michael Callaghan, Virginia Road, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan.

Mr Callaghan is an elected ‘Trout’ category member of the board and served on the previous Board as a Ministerial nominee. Mr Callaghan is very active in angling in the Lough Sheelin area and is currently the Secretary of the Lough Sheelin area and is currently Secretary of the Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association and also acts as Secretary of the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association.

The Board at yesterdays meeting expressed grave concern at a continued high level of pollution and deteriorating water quality throughout the region. In this regard the Board as a matter of urgency is seeking an early meeting with the minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Mr Frank Fahey in order to highlight their concerns and seek ways and means to tackle this ongoing problem.

Further Comment

Mr Eamon Cusack

Chief Executive Officer

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

061 455171

or

Mr Niall Collins

Assistant CEO

Press Statement dated June 16th, 2000

Major Fish Kill in Co Offaly

Staff and officials of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board are today investigating a major fish kill on the Pallas River, a tributary of the Little Brosna River. The Little Brosna River flows through Birr, Co Offaly and enters the Shannon downstream of Banagher, Co Offaly

Preliminary estimates put the number of fish killed at 2000. This being mainly comprised of wild brown trout and salmon parr.

Board staff are currently on the ground assessing the situation and are in the process of investigating the source and cause of the pollution incident which has led to the fish kill. Once the source is established the board will vigoriously prosecute those responsible.

The Board is increasingly concerned that now in high silage making season and coupled with low water levels that we are increasingly exposed to further incidents of this nature. The Board would urge the farming community to be particularly vigilant and to ensure that all waste management facilities are functioning correctly.

Further comment contact:

Mr Eamon Cusack

Chief Executive Officer

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

087 2425017

or Matt Nolan

Development Inspector

067 2429417

REPORT ENDS

Cloonlyon River, Ballygar, Co Galway

The fish habitat of over 2 miles of the Cloonlyon River, near Ballygar, Co Galway, a tributary of the River Shiven River has been laid waste as a result of actions taken by a group of local individuals.

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board last week became aware of an unauthorised drainage effort on the Cloonlyon River, a wild brown trout nursery stream.

Following lengthy discussions with representatives of the group it was agreed that some drainage work could continue, which did not interfere with the habitat of the river. However, within hours of this agreement, increased numbers od diggers were employed to dredge and remove the bed of the river at a quickened pace, working over the weekend and late into the night. The aquatic habitat and fishery nursery had been eradicated.

The Board, late yesterday at Westport Circuit Court secured an injunction to prevent further works from being undertaken. Sizeable damages will be sought by the Board.

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is stunned at the events which occurred on this wild brown trout fishery and the lack of care and the callus disregard shown by this drainage group. Not alone have they damaged the fishery, but they have caused serious undermining to a number of bridges along the river.

The damage to the bridges may require the application of considerable resources to effect repairs and would be a further burden on the tax payers of Co Galway.

The burden on our fisheries caused by pollution and eutrophication is already considerable. The additional devastation to an important nursery stream is intolerable. The Board is requesting the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources to review the controls, which currently exist in relation to private drainage operations.

REPORT ENDS

Press Statement dated June  12th, 2000

A new Coarse Angling Match record was recorded on the River Shannon at Portumna

A new Coarse Angling Match record was recorded on the River Shannon at Portumna last week when 166 anglers from Holland caught 13.350 tonnes of Coarse Fish over the four days of the Benelux King of Clubs Angling Festival - all fish were returned alive to the water.

It was by any standards an outstanding result with some anglers catching almost 600 roach in five hours.

The Match was fished over a six-mile stretch of the River Shannon between Portumna and Meelick in Co Galway, which had recently been developed as an angling venue by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board with EU funding.

The Match organisers were the Dutch Angling Magasine 'Beet' immediately reserved the stretch for the next two years during the early part of May in order to hold their Festival there again.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, Mr Eamon Cusack said afterwards that the success of the event was brought about by Government and Voluntary Agencies coming together to work on different aspects of the event. He also said that their result proved beyond doubt that the River Shannon was now the best Coarse Angling Match River in Europe.

END

For further comment contact Matt Nolan, Development Inspector Tel: 044 48769

Press Statement dated May 12th, 2000

On Wednesday May 10th, 2000 a major fish kill on the Bunoke River occurred.

On Wednesday May 10th, 2000 a major fish kill on the Bunoke River occurred. The Bunoke River, is a tributary of the River Deel flowing between Killeedy and Broacford Co Limerick

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board staff are carrying out an investigation into the fish kill. The cause of the fish kill has been traced to an agricultural source. Initial estimates suggest that approximately six miles of river have been completely wiped out from Kilmeedy downstream to Ahaoomusk Bridge.

Fish life in this six mile stretch of river consisted of mainly Brown Trout and Eels. 

The Board will be monitoring the situation over the coming days with a view to quantifying the number of fatalities.

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is very concerned at the low water levels in recent weeks. The Board would appeal to the agricultural community to be extra vigilant to ensure that no effluent enters our river courses, resulting in detrimental effects to the aquatic life, which if happens take years to rehabilitate.

END

For further comment contact the Chief Executive Officer Mr Eamon Cusack at Tel 061 455171

Public Notices Dated February 4th, 2000

Elections to The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

Notice is hereby given that the elections of members of the above Society, will be held on March 20th, 2000. Completed ballot papers must be received in the Regional Boards's office not later than 6.00 pm on that date.

Nominations of candidates for elections are hereby invited. Nomination forms may be obtained from:

The Returning Officer

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

Thomond Weir

Limerick

The latest date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 12.00 noon on February 17th. Ballot papers will be sent to each elector at least 10 days before the election date. For further information contact

The Returning Officer

At the above address

Tel: 061 455171

ELECTIONS to the Lower Shannon Trout and Coarse Development Society

Notice is hereby given that the elections of members of the above Society, will be held on March 20th, 2000. Completed ballot papers must be received in the Regional Boards's office not later than 6.00 pm on that date.

Nominations of candidates for elections are hereby invited. Nomination forms may be obtained from:

The Returning Officer

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

Thomond Weir

Limerick

The latest date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 12.00 noon on February 17th. Ballot papers will be sent to each elector at least 10 days before the election date. For further information contact

The Returning Officer

At the above address

Tel: 061 455171

ELECTIONS To the Upper Shannon Trout and Coarse Fisheries Development Society

Notice is hereby given that the elections of members of the above Society, will be held on March 20th, 2000. Completed ballot papers must be received in the Regional Boards's office not later than 6.00 pm on that date.

Nominations of candidates for elections are hereby invited. Nomination forms may be obtained from:

The Returning Officer

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

Thomond Weir

Limerick

The latest date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 12.00 noon on February 17th. Ballot papers will be sent to each elector at least 10 days before the election date. For further information contact

The Returning Officer

At the above address

Tel: 061 455171

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