Inland Fisheries Ireland staff member John O’Connor in Kerry seizing an illegal fishing net from the River Feale in 2020.
Inland Fisheries Ireland staff member John O’Connor in Kerry seizing an illegal fishing net from the River Feale in 2020.

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, has revealed that over 13 kilometres of illegal nets were seized by its protection officers and inspectors around the country last year.

250 illegal fishing nets, measuring 13,158 metres in total, were among the 1,287 items seized by the agency on its patrols and inspections in 2020. Other items seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland included spear guns, hand lines, traps, illegally caught fish and stroke hauls which are large-weighted hooks used to impale a fish.

Unless licenced, it is illegal to use a net for catching fish in freshwater due to the ecological damage they cause to fish populations and habitats, such as Wild Atlantic Salmon, Sea Trout and Sea Bass. Due to the severity of the offence and the environmental impact caused by illegal fishing, Inland Fisheries Ireland has a policy of bringing cases involving illegal nets directly to court. Those convicted can face fines and even prison sentences.

An example of an illegal fishing net measuring 160 metres in length in the Shannon Estuary seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland in 2020.
An example of an illegal fishing net measuring 160 metres in length in the Shannon Estuary seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland in 2020.

A recent court case involving the use of an illegal net for fishing came before Judge David Waters at Listowel District Court on July 1st this year. Tom Allen, with an address of Lixnaw, Co. Kerry, was convicted under Section 96 of the Fisheries Acts 1959 – 2017 on a charge of possession of a net along the River Brick in 2020. Mr. Allen was fined €700 and was also ordered to pay €947 in court costs.

Assistant Inspector at Inland Fisheries Ireland, Darren Halpin, gave evidence in court, outlining how he was responding to a report from a member of the public, which led to the seizure of the illegal net.

An example of an illegal fishing net, seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland at Inisdooey Island in Co. Donegal in 2020.

In another court case this year involving illegal fishing nets, Gareth Fennel of Kilrush, Co. Clare was convicted on July 20th under Sections 96 and 97 of the Fisheries Consolidation Act 1959.  Appearing before Kilrush District Court in Ennis Courthouse, Mr. Fennel was fined €500 and ordered to pay €530 in costs for possession and use of an illegal net for the purposes of taking salmon. Ray Byrne, a Fisheries Officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland, gave evidence in court.

To report suspicions of illegal fishing, or sightings of illegal nets, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.