Illegal nets and salmon seized off coast of Cork

Fisheries protection officers from Inland Fisheries Ireland seized illegal nets and almost 100kg of fish when they boarded a vessel off the Cork coast in recent days.

Staff based in the Cork district of the South Western River Basin District boarded a fishing boat on Monday, July 13th and seized 98kg of salmon and 256m of illegal net.

Inland Fisheries Ireland say similar seizures have taken place in Donegal and Mayo in recent days.

They are now reminding members of the public and the catering and hospitality industries that it is illegal to purchase or possess illegally caught salmon or sea trout. 

Dr Greg Forde, Deputy CEO and Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “We wish to highlight the importance of protecting migrating salmon and sea trout stocks against illegal fishing activity. 

"The risk of targeted netting of salmon at sea remains the highest priority for our protection staff, who have seized 15 nets in the South Western River Basin region so far this season. Nationally a total of 91 nets, measuring 5,300 metres have been seized to date since the beginning of the year. 

"The value of prompt and accurate information from concerned members of the public who report instances of suspected illegal activity or pollution alerts cannot be overstated. Information may be passed directly to local Inland Fisheries Ireland staff or by phoning our confidential Hotline number on 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24.”

A spokesperson for Inland Fisheries Ireland said only salmon or sea trout that have been caught by licenced commercial salmon fishermen may be sold and must bear a colour coded green or white gill tag, or for wild imported salmon, a yellow tail tag. 

Anglers are prohibited from selling salmon or sea trout caught by rod and line, rod caught salmon must have a blue tag affixed but cannot be sold.