Ulster Angling Federation calls on anglers to unite over proposed new Lough Erne By-laws

Editorial Department • Published 26 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Dear Sir, - I would like on behalf of the Ulster Angling Federation to set out a number of points in relation to the proposed new Lough Erne By-laws, following an article and letter recently published in your paper. Whilst the Federation are the governing body for game angling in Northern Ireland and are on the Waterways Ireland list of consultees, due to our intensive lobbying over the last number of years for the publication of the new by-laws. We are well aware that a number of fishing clubs in Fermanagh are not represented by the Federation,

As this is such an important issue for anglers we have arranged a meeting for Thursday, September 16 at 7.30pm in the Silver Swallow, Sligo Road for clubs to put forward their views. All clubs are invited to send a couple of council / committee members to attend this meeting, not just member clubs of the Federation. In this way we can hopefully agree a submission which is representative of all the anglers. Having submitted countless submissions on behalf of the Federation over the years, I know the importance of having a strong united voice. Whilst the Federation would encourage all clubs to submit their own submission, it becomes more powerful if that submission is agreed by the vast majority.

There seems to be a misconception that the Ulster Angling Federation does little for Fermanagh based clubs. Perhaps the following incident will reflect the province wide work of the Federation.

Several weeks ago Jim Wells and Peter Weir tabled amendment 23, regarding the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill which would give the Minister power to “Prohibit or restrict the killing, taking, molesting or disturbance of living creatures of any description in the ASSI, the taking, destruction or disturbance of eggs, larve or other immature stage, of any such creature, the taking of, or interference with, vegetation of any description in the ASSI, or the doing of anything therein which will interfere with the soil or damage of any object in the ASSI”

Thankfully, with the support of the Countryside Alliance, we managed to get the amendment withdrawn, however the threat remains. Had the amendment been accepted and the Minister decided to place a restriction of four kilometres on ASSI’s then all fishing on Lower Lough Erne would have been stopped. This is because the Cliffs of Magho, which takes in most of the South shore and the following islands, are all designated as ASSI’s, Cruninish, Devenish, Gravel Ridge, Hare, Horse and Paris Island Big. Perhaps some anglers need to consider the support of the Federation, in this way we may be able to stop other threats to our beloved sport before it is too late.

Yours faithfully,

Robbie Marshall

Development Officer

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Aug 10

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