The fresher weather improved trout fishing slightly on Lough Arrow over the past few days. Trout seemed to be more active and traditional wet flies worked best. Local angler, Paul Colreavy rose four fish yesterday evening landing two at 1.75 lbs. each. Elsewhere, Eddie Harte had a nice trout of 3 lbs.
One of Paul Colreavy’s Trout from Lough Arrow
The committee of Lough Arrow Angling Club have decided to run their end of season competition on Sunday 26th September from 11am – 6pm with all proceeds going to North West Hospice. Entry accepted from 10am – 11am on Flynn’s Pier or by text to Colin on +353 (0)86 6000630 on the morning before 11am. Membership can be paid on the morning also. Weigh in for heaviest fish over 14 inches at Flynn’s Pier at 6.30pm. No trolling or spinning permitted. Any queries to Colin on above number.
Pierre Bronsgeest reports on a successful King’s Classic 2021 from earlier in the month:
The King’s Classic was a success in every way. After two years of preparation, trade fairs, open days and other promotions, it became reality. With all precautions due to Covid-19 and strict regulations in Ireland, everything went smoothly in the end.
A big plus was the journey via ferry from Cherbourg directly to Dublin. The journey involved excellent roads to Cherbourg (approximately 7 hours drive), where the ferry to Ireland leaves at 4.30pm. You drink and eat on board, get a good night’s sleep and the next morning after breakfast you drive into Dublin at 10:45 AM. So easy! A comfortable journey and then, in Ireland, the weather was glorious. Unusually warm by Irish standards. And the weather remained beautiful, without a drop of rain. Not so good for fishing, but luckily we got some more clouds and a little wind during competition week.
Prior to this, the memorial ‘Lol’ Higgins was fished on the same sectors as the King’s Classic. Lawrence ‘Lol’ Higgins was an English match angler who has fished the KOC matches from the start. He was a welcome fisherman, with a lot of humor and a lot of knowledge of fishing. After his death, Pascal van de Venne and Pierre Bronsgeest came up with the idea to fish a memorial. This was immediately welcomed by the participants and by Henk van der Kooi of BBI-travel.
The widow of ‘Lol’, Christine Higgins was also present, as was her son Andrew Higgins with his family. Emotional, but beautiful.
Then the memorial match. On Sunday 29 August, 35 participants fished in four sectors. Fish were caught everywhere, but the Rocks sector scored the best. There Simon Willsmore managed to catch 17,500 grams and thus write the memorial to his name. He received the cup from Christine Higgins. In addition, the sector price is € 100, a fishing platform from Pascal van de Venne and a bottle of Jameson.
Monday, August 29, 2021, a memorable day. Finally, after two years of hard work, there was the draw in the Commercial Hotel, with face masks, keep your distance, but grab your number and fish. The mood, the atmosphere was immediately in it. Under sunny conditions on to sectors A = Deeps, B = Connelly’s, C = The Rocks and D = Brackley/Prospect.
The Rocks
Four beautiful sectors that got off to a slow start. The disappearance of the wind, the high temperatures 23-24 degrees were the reasons for this slow start. That was not the case for the newly added sector The Rocks, part of lough Scur.
There it was a battle with the pole, at least if you can still call using two sections the pole! That was the rod length with which Darius Karaliunas managed to catch over 400 fish! Rien Verhoeckx fished with four pieces and also did well. On the other side of the sector there was a battle between Michel Diepstraten and Deimante Karaliunas, also with the pole! The Rocks was won with 23,900 grams by Darius Karaliunas who also became the day winner. Second Rien Verhoeckx 18,150 grams, Third Deimante Karaliunas 16,350 grams and Michel Diepstraten with 14,400 grams.
The other sectors
As said, a difficult start. Particularly on sector A = Deeps, which does not mean less exciting. Pascal van der Venne won here with 4,300 grams. Sector B = Connolly’s had a reasonable start, Andre Multem won there with 14,250 grams. On sector D = Brackley Prospect it was Leo Koot, Simon Willsmore and Willemd van der Helm. Here they only fished with the feeder and Willem van der Helm managed to take advantage of that with the victory, he became first with 11,800 grams. Second, Leo Koot with 11,040 grams and third, Simon Willsmore.
The Multem Brothers
The second day immediately started with a fratricidal battle, again on The Rocks. Willem Multem at number 9 and on the other side Andre Multem at number 2. At number 6 was Charlie Richards, the 16 year old Irish talent from Ballinamore. However, he could not prevent Willem and Andre from taking a lead, especially Willem Multem. Andre didn’t have it too good in the beginning catching roach that were too small and too few in between. That was good for Willem. With over 300 fish he managed to catch 23,500 grams. Charlie Richards did not get further than a third place with 11,250 grams. The decisive weight came from swim number 2. Andre Multem caught 27,300 grams. He won the sector and also the daily prize.
The other sectors performed better than the previous day. In sector A = Deeps Willem van der Helm won with 8,100 grams and Leo Koot was second with 6,020 grams.
Sector B = Connolly’s was producing on all pegs. Ron Stoorvogel won here with 15,500 grams. Martijn Kroes was second here with 14,750 grams.
In the sector D = Brackley/Prospect, Michel Diepstraten took the win with 14,640 grams. Second was Brian Declerck with 11.620 grams.
Charlie wins the section
As mentioned, 16-year-old talent Charlie Richards is one to keep an eye on. He fished for the sector Brackley Prospect on day 3 and immediately took control of the sector. He fished more than 40 yards with the feeder and left no doubt as to who would take the industry profits. Charlie won with 20,100 grams. Second was Piet van Lieshout with 14,100 grams. Meritorious third Sammy Driesen with 12,800 grams.
The other sectors scored slightly less on average on this third day. Sector A = Deeps in particular had a hard time. Michiel Diepstraten managed to take the sector gain with 6,600 grams and scored another point, which gave him the prospect of a good position. Second was Darius Karaliunas with 5,100 grams.
Connolly’s was dominated by Willem van der Helm who managed to catch some nice bream and hybrids with the feeder. He caught 21,500 grams, enough for the sector profit and the daily profit. This marked the third sector win in a row for Van der Helm. Only 3 points. Leo Koot right next to him was second with 18,500 grams. Niels der Kinderen was third here with 17,250 grams. The The Rocks sector had a decent day with fishing across the trade. The final battle was between Dick Ekkelenkamp and Tom Sexton. The sympathetic Englishman was fiddling with three different rod distances. Dick was immediately with four sections at the right distance and at a good pace. He still had to lose to the Englishman who managed to find his rhythm and became first with 17,200 grams. Dick had to make do with 200 grams less at 17,000 grams.
Finale
This last day there were three more anglers with a view to the overall victory. Willem van der Helm, André Multem and Michel Diepstraten. They could still finish on three points because the worst result is dropped. So all eyes on this threesome and a sideways eye on the battle for places 4 to 9, important for the final score in the standings. If the top three make a mistake, there are six who are happy to climb onto the podium.
Willem van der Helm is in good shape! After all, he already has three points and with the knowledge that the worst result of the four days is dropped, he must again score a first place. If not, he must hope that his overall weight is sufficient to win.
His competitors, Andre Multem, are in sector A Deeps, Michel Diepstraten in sector B Connelly’s and a dangerous outsider, friend and travel companion Leo Koot in the same sector where he fishes himself, Sector C The Rocks.
Michel Diepstraten draws number 10 on Connelly’s, the winning number of the previous day! He gets off to a good start and immediately catches nice fish, hybrid and roach. Andre Multem at number 6 on Deeps is less happy. It doesn’t go the way he planned, catches fish, misses etc. Not a nice rhythm. That is certainly possible with Martijn Snijders and with Willem Multem! Fratricide? Back to The Rocks where Leo Koot has a kickstart and catches small hybrid and roach one after the other with the pole at a good pace. Willem van der Helm, fishing for number 1, the ideal number for the fixed pole! So cat in the cup. That would be different.
Back to sector Brackley/Prospect, where it was exciting between Martijn Kroes, Jeroen Gruys and Dick Ekkelenkamp to reach the first nine. It was Martijn who became first with 19,440 grams. Jeroen Gruys was second with 12,720 grams and third Dick Ekkelenkamp with 12,400 grams.
Quickly to Connelly’s, there Michel Diepstraten manages to catch fish until the final signal and his sector wins with 14,250 grams. Second is Sandy Denduyver with 12,000 grams.
On to sector A Deeps. How is Andre Multem? He did catch some fish, but not enough. It has become a battle between Willem Multem and Martijn Snijders. Snijders wins with 7,550 grams, Willem second with 7,500 grams. Andre gets eight points and that makes the podium inaccessible. Then to the decision on The Rocks! Leo Koot never stopped for a moment. Like a well-oiled machine, he is fishing for profit in the sector with 25,500 grams, also good for the day’s victory. Willem van der Helm is second with 18,600 grams and Simon Willsmore third with 16,800 grams.
Willem van der Helm has three points and 41,400 grams! Enough for the final victory! Michel Diepstraten also has 3 points but less weight. He is second with 3 points and 35,490 grams. Leo Koot jumps to the podium and is third with 5 points and 55,040 grams.
Slainte
Prizegiving
The results were announced at Fred Walsh’s Commercial hotel in Ballinamore. After the sector prizes and the day winner who respectively receive money and a voucher from GURU worth € 100, it is time for the final prizes.
Sponsors
First, organizer Pierre Bronsgeest and Henk van der Kooi would like to thank the sponsors and the people who are indispensable for the realization of this King’s Classic.
Main sponsor Shimano has been more than just sponsoring this King’s Classic. By thinking along at an early stage, before and during the match, it also went well. Thanks to Shimano and in particular to Kris Sloof who was present throughout the week.
In addition to GURU, Sjors Milder, for the support with vouchers. Louis Berendsen Berlok feeds for the 20 buckets of groundbait, filled with ten kilos of superfood!
Major sponsors include Leitrim County Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland (notably Michael Kelly and his team), BBI Travel, Super Valu Ballinamore.
Winner Willem van der Helm and Inland Fisheries Ireland support staff led by District Inspector Michael Kelly
In particular, we would like to thank Teresa Kennedy of Glenview for all her work with the organization and her sponsorship on the prize table. We also thank Francis McGoldrick for the fish technical support.
Important for the organization is the collaboration with Leitrim County Council. During the awards ceremony, Paddy O’Rourke, Chairman of Leitrim County Council was on hand to support us and thank the anglers for coming to Ballinamore and Leitrim in particular. He also said that the Council will provide support for the King’s Classic in the coming years.
Sponsors
Then the prizes were awarded with a new component, the Blind Couple. Two anglers are matched by drawing lots and then their total weights are added together. The top three couples will win great prizes. Money and vouchers from Guru.
Below are the winners and what they won. The total prize pool is worth €13,500
Prizewinners King’s Classic 2021
Willem van der Helm – € 1500 + voucher € 1000 Shimano + exchange cup + unique winners hoodie + unique polo + Berlok feeding package + bottle of Jameson
Michel Diepstraten – € 1100 + voucher € 800 Shimano + bottle of Jameson + unique winners hoodie + unique polo + Berlok feed package
Leo Koot – € 900 + voucher € 700 Shimano + bottle of Jameson + unique winners hoodie + unique polo + Berlok food package
Charlie Richards – € 700 + voucher € 600 Shimano + unique polo + bottle of Jameson
Martijn Kroes – €500 + voucher €400 Shimano + unique polo + bottle of Jameson
Andre Multem – € 400 + Voucher € 300 Shimano + unique polo + bottle of Jameson
Darius Karaliunas – voucher € 500 Shimano + unique polo + bottle of Jameson
Willem Multem – voucher € 400 Shimano + unique polo + bottle of Jameson
Piet van Lieshout – voucher € 300 Shimano + unique polo + bottle of Jameson
Sector prizes (daily 4 sectors, total 48 prices)
Highest daily weight voucher Guru € 100 (4 times)
Day 1 Darius Karaliunas
Day 2 Andre Multem
Day 3 Willem van der Helm
Day 4 Leo Koot
Blind couple
€300 + voucher Guru €200 Martijn Kroes and Willem van der Helm
€200 + voucher Guru €100 Andre Multem and Simon Willsmore
€100 + voucher Guru €100 Marnik Vekeman and Leo Koot
Peter Kruithof won Special prize for last place:
Peter received a unique Shimano/ King’s Classic polo. In addition, he is a guest at Shimano experience center for a day, where fishing is done on the pond!
Luke Aston, skipper of the Clare Dragoon, reports that fishing has been good for mixed species of late, despite the prevalence of easterly winds. Although fishing has slowed somewhat, his guests enjoyed good fishing both at anchor and on the drift for a range of species. Shark were a notable absentee this week, making a no-show on the one day they targeted them on the drift.
A fine bull huss on the Clare DragoonA good ling comes aboardA nice ling for this anglerAnother fine bull huss
Go fishing…
Clare Dragoon
Clare Dragoon is a LOCHIN 366 powered by 650HP engine, skippered by Luke Aston and operating out of Carrigaholt Co. Clare…
I have some offers up on my web site www.fishandstay.com and if anybody is interested in putting a trip together please do get in touch. Also I Twitter from the boat on @fishandstay and try to update my face book page www.facebook.com/CarrigaholtSeaAngling fairly often!To experience some of the best deep sea fishing available in Ireland contact Luke. Telephone: +353 65 9058209 or +353 87 6367544 Email:[email protected]Web:www.fishandstay.com
Greg Latour of Tir na Spideog reports on his French guests’ angling adventure on Lough Allua…
We had 2 personal bests beaten by my French guests from Brittany on Lough Allua. On their guided trip they caught a total of 6 pike. The biggest pike measured 104cm and there was another over the meter at 103cm. We also had a really good 97cm pike plus a an 84cm fish. After that it was 75cm and lastly a 65cm Jack.
A lovely pike from Lough Allua
In the also rans we had a 110cm Grandma spit out the rubber shad right beside the boat and we met at least another 10 pike that didn’t take the lures properly.
Although the water temperature is still at 17ºC, pike on Lough Allua seem to be gearing up for the winter.
Tir na Spideoga Fishing Lodge is situated on the shores of Lough Allua, about 5km from Inchigeelagh Village, overlooking a narrow but long water system, also called the ‘ Inchigeelagh lakes’. Lough Allua ranks amongst the top pike fishing waters of Ireland, regularly producing pike of 20 and 30 lbs. and still it is one of the least known pike venues on the island .
A guided day on the lake for 2 anglers costs as little as €80 – plus €40 for the boat hire. No permit is required
Norbert Renaud, of L’ile verte, lodge de pêche en Irlande was looking for some September pike from the lakes of Cavan last week. Even though pike fishing has been good this September, on the day they were hard to come by for Norbert – who stumbled on some hungry perch instead!
Norbert wasn’t going to complain – he went on to catch some very ambitious perch on his pike fly tackle! Super looking fish.
Go fishing…
Norbert Renaud from L’Ile Verte Lodge in Cavan is a pike guide who specialises in bringing French anglers to Ireland. Based in Killeshandra, Norbert is in one of the heartlands of pike angling in Ireland. Norbert live streams a fly tying session every Friday night at 7pm Irish time on his Youtube Channel.
Get in touch with Norbert through his Facebook page or his website to plan your pike fishing adventure.
Nick McCartan reports on the recent Dunmore East Small Boats competition held by Rinnashark SAC:
The Festival took place on the 4th & 5TH September and the headquarters for the weekend was the Haven hotel. With a very short lead-in time due to Covid, the club was happy with the turnout of 14 boats. It was great to see people from all over Ireland and Wales turn up for the weekend and we are grateful for their support.
The weather in the run-up to the weekend was very mixed and forecasts changed hourly but in the end, we were lucky with the outer zone fishable on both days, the worst of the weather was mid-afternoon on the Saturday for a few hours when it chopped up a little. Fishing for the weekend was tough at times but in general, the fishing was good with impressive scorecards being returned by all boats.
Boats set off in all directions from the bay in Tramore, out to the reefs and up the estuary in search of the wide range of species on offer. It was clear from day one the crew of Shamrock Tackle boat skippered by Martin Kennedy were going to be hard to beat with an impressive total after day one of 26 species.
It was great to see some of the local boats who are relatively new to these competitions increase the number of species compared to the previous years. On Saturday evening Joint 2nd was Finchaser and TRS with 20 species followed closely in 3rd by Here Fishy Fishy with 18 species and joint 4th Katie and Seawitch with 17 species.
With high numbers after day one, day two was going to be hard to add extra species. With all boats in the water, Sunday morning at 9 am skippers headed in various directions looking to add to their total.
Throughout the day boats hopped from mark to mark to try adding a few extra species to their tally, as 5 pm neared a number of boats were fishing close to the pier to try for that last one species before the end.
The top boat on the day was Pisces skipped by Pa Hutchinson and adding 8 species to their total. A fantastic performance by the crew of Shamrock Tackle saw them add 6 species to their 26 the day before for a total of 32 species. Superb fishing for a two-day competition and well deserved winners on the weekend.
Adding 7 species to take 2nd place was Team Rinnashark (TRS) with a total of 27 species, 3rd place adding 5 species to make a total of 25 was Finchaser.
Adding 2nd highest daily catch of 7 to finish in 4th was Seawitch, also on 24 and beaten on length in 5th place was Here Fishy Fishy.
On adding up the species caught over the weekend there were 39 species caught by 14 boats, it is great to see the area fishing so well and shows what the area has to offer.
The nominated species were:
Cod 52 cm – Kingfisher
Pollock 58.5cm – Shinawil
Flat 38cm Flounder – Rockling 2
Gurnard 41.5cm – Seawitch
The new category of combined Bull Huss and Smooth Hound was won by Ian Stubbs with a combined length of 193.5cm (BH=101.5cm & SH 92cm)
The committee would again like to thank all the anglers who made this weekend such a great success. To all the sponsors we would like to acknowledge their contribution, without them this competition would not be possible.
I would ask you have a look at our sponsor page and support the businesses that support us.
We are looking forward to the 2022 Festival which will revert back to May – a date will be announced shortly.
The NCFFI report on the recent All Ireland Method Feeder Championships in Oaklands Lake:
Congratulations to Leinster angler and BSI Sensas club member, Enda Hickey winner of the third edition of the All Ireland Method Feeder Championships at Oaklands Lake at the weekend. Enda reeled his way to a clear win with 32.250kg ahead of 19.890kg for runner-up V Mozart, and H Hristov with 17.910kg in 3rd place.
The fishing was more difficult than usual for the 30 anglers participating in this specialised competition with the lower pegs performing the best.
Well done to everyone who took part. Thanks to Brenton Sweeney and Adrian Browne for their organisation and Oaklands lake superb hosts as usual.
Kit Dunne of Wicklow Boat Charters reports that wreck fishing is ‘on fire’ off the east coast right now. Kit has put a lot of work into seeking out wreck marks over the past couple of years and his effort is paying off as some of his punters are getting some cracking fishing. Just take a look at the quality of some of the pollock his anglers are catching.
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And it’s not only the wrecks that have been producing as he is getting some good success targeting Blues as well.
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Go Fishing
Angling Charters are offered on a full-day, half-day and evening trip basis and can be tailored to suit your needs. Two boats available – Lisin and Castle Maiden. All levels of anglers are catered for. Anglers will benefit from your skipper’s angling experience and local knowledge with advice and guidance on-hand at all times.
SPECIALIST ANGLING CHARTERS
Specialist Angling Charters are offered for those who wish to target specific species, specimen fish or try new methods of angling.
ANGLING COACHING
Whether you’re a Club, Individual, School or Junior you can have an angling coaching session or programme tailored to suit your needs.
Kevin Lyons of Melview Lodge is back with a coarse and pike report…
Jean-Pierre was once again on one of his many visits to Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford. Joining him was son Nick and long-time family friend Alain. All three of them are no strangers to Melview Lodge as they normally make the trip two or sometimes 3 times a year but due to Covid restrictions were unable to make the trips like many others.
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J.P with his first Pike of his trip
Nick and Alain with and good mixed catch of Hybrids, skimmers and Roach
Alain and Nick start to get into the Bream
Nick with a fine Bream from his catch
J.P with his 1m + Pike
During their recent trip they took full advantage of their time back in Ireland and said it was great to be back fishing here once again. J.P was out catching Pike while son Nick and friend Alain were coarse fishing. JP had some great Pike to 1.05m while Nick and Alain had some good catches of Bream, Hybrids and Roach. They are now looking forward to coming again for the winter Pike fishing, see you again soon.
Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.
Last week saw the first of the Cork based authorised bluefin tuna boats meeting fish. This week more boats followed suit…
Anglers fishing with David Edwards had great sport on 07 September. He had his largest ever Bluefin to the boat. It was a massive battle and it was brilliant to see a 100 inch long fish alongside and released after tagging.
A 100inch bluefin tuna for anglers on Silver Dawn
The novice anglers onboard caught their fish of a lifetime on their first trip out, but even with the choppy sea working with the skipper the kept the welfare of the fish the priority.
Flushed with success David passed on the news of the tuna in the area to other boats. Tom Collins soon in on the action. His crew had 3 hook-ups and landed two. The first fish spat the hook after 5 minutes. The second fish broke the crew in gently measuring in at 71 inches. The third fish was better, screaming off on a great first run it was eventually played to the side of the boat and measured in at 91 inches.
A 91 inch tuna for the crew of Loch an Iasc
The Bluefin tuna season also started well for Mark Gannon of Courtmacsherry Angling. By September 9th he had tagged and released 6 tuna off Courtmacsherry.
Bluefin tuna caught on Lady Louise
Finally, just yesterday, Irish Deep Sea Charters, back in Union Hall had their first tuna of the season on their first trip out. It was a a hard fighting fish with a calculated weight of 377lb.
Bluefin tuna estimated to weigh 377lbs is recovers alongside Chloe Jay
Adrian says there are no big bait balls just yet but hundreds of dolphins were in the area all day and they also enjoyed brief sightings of a lunge feeding whale.
Tuna are tagged and released as part of the 2021 Tuna CHART programme
Go Fishing
Silver Dawn
41′ Rodman 1250. Twin 430 HP Engines Skipper: David Edwards Licence: P5 Licence Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area:
Authorised blue fin tuna boat
Notes:The range of fishing found within close range of Courtmacsherry is superb, with trips producing anything between 6 and 15 different species as a norm and in excess of 20 is possible if anglers are prepared to change methods and use different baits and lures throughout their trip. As a rule mackerel, pollock, cod and ling are usually encountered but several species of wrasse along with whiting, pouting, coalfish, bull huss, conger and many more are often added to the catch.
If you do choose to head offshore to sample the superb shark fishing available within 10 miles of Courtmacsherry, there is a very strong chance of encountering blue sharks and an increasing chance of bringing a porbeagle shark to the boat.
Fastworker 36 powered by twin Caterpillar 350hp Skipper: Tom Collins Licence: No. 974 with P5 licence Base: Reen, Union Hall Operational Area: 30 miles from Union Hall, Baltimore, Crookhaven.
Authorised blue fin tuna boat
Notes: Operates 12 months of the year and specialise
in shark fishing. With experienced skipper Tom Collins the Loch an Iasc is a modern charter company which offers a comprehensive range of services to customers and aims to cater for your every need be it Mackerel, Reef, Wreck, Specimen or Shark fishing.
Skipper: Adrian Nowotynski Licence:1779 Base: Union Hall Operational area:30 miles from Union Hall and Baltimore
Authorised blue fin tuna boat
Notes: Wreck, reef, shark and ground fishing. Also half day trips available and individuals catered for when possible. Regular updates on Facebook at IrishdeepseaCharter. Second boat available
Aquastar 38′. 370 HP Caterpillar Skipper: Mark Gannon Licence: 818 Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Authorised blue fin tuna boat
Notes: Mark has two Aquastar 38’s, Lady Patricia and
Lady Louise. Specialising in wreck fishing, Mark’s boats have consistently provided specimen fish over the years. Shark, reef and general inshore angling also on offer.
Tuna CHART (CatcHand Release Tagging) utilises authorised vessels to catch, tag and release Atlantic Bluefin Tuna for data collection purposes off the Irish coast. The programme, developed by Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Marine Institute in partnership with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department for Environment, Climate and Communications, operated on a pilot basis in 2019 and 2020.
The 2021 season will open on the 1st July and close on the 12th November 2021.
