Native or not?

   Although it seems almost sure that pike have spread in certain parts of the island later than in others, nobody has ever provided concrete evidence of its introduction. Indeed, some sources claim pike as being native. In 1950 Robert Lloyd Praeger wrote "The Natural History of Ireland", in which he classifies the pike as an Irish native fish species. One hundred years before that, William Thomson notes pike as being native. Aodh Mac Domhnaill from County Meath wrote a tract on natural history in the same period. Pike is the first fish he mentions as being native. He describes it as "clean, bright and tasty". We know from our last article that pike are proven to be in Ireland over 400 years before that. However, it is still very interesting to see that the pike was an established part of the piscine fauna in Co. Meath in the early 19th century and was not referred to as being introduced but classified native.

Other species in other countries.

   In our research we have not limited ourselves to Ireland alone. We have looked around Europe and came across several interesting "incidents" which give hope of unraveling the pike’s history here. Our first stop is Spain and we meet two old friends; Arthur Went and Giraldus Cambrensis. The latter was referred to in a publication of The Irish Naturalist’ Journal written by Arthur Went in 1949. Went relies on Cambrensis’ knowledge but as we already know, both are not "the perfect example of a reliable witness"! Went quotes Cambrensis’ who claimed that "no part of Spain produces pike". A cave painting of a pike in Northern Spain drawn in the Stone Ages proves that they were not introduced and that once again Cambrensis and Went had it wrong.

   Next we go to Holland where in the 20th Century a discussion took place whether the catfish was an indigenous species that should be protected or whether it was introduced in the late medieval period by monks. It was only in 1979 that fish remains from a number of prehistoric settlements were identified. It appeared that catfish were present in The Netherlands some 4000 years BC. The poor monk who allegedly wobbled his way with laden bucket to the Dutch waterside was innocent…

   Closer to home we arrive in England where the tench has been regarded as an introduced species. Tench is a warm water fish which could not have survived the ice-age, allegedly. Recent excavations in Suffolk carried out by the Time Team found not only pike but also tench remains. They were some 400,000 years old! Tench may now be regarded as native over there.

   Our trip around Europe brings us home again and even here we can serve you a prefect example of how theories are only theories. The rudd is often classified as an introduced fish species to Irish waters for reasons similar to the English tench. Until rudd remains popped up in excavations carried out in Portbraddan Cave in Co. Antrim. This find dates from the first half of the 20th Century and puts the presence of rudd in Ireland back to the Iron Age.

   We thought it was important to quote these different examples. If only to warn the readers not to pass out if tomorrow pike remains of a couple of thousand years old are found in Ireland. Stranger things have happened…

Some conclusions

   Several conclusions can be drawn taking into account the pike’s turbulent recent history in Ireland. The first one should be that there is much more work to be done and many more references to be looked into. Numerous people in libraries and universities have told us that there is much more interesting information "out there".

   Archaeologists have hardly begun looking into the possible presence of fish remains in excavation sites. Understandably, human artifacts and tidal settlements have always carried the prime interest. Having said that it is very encouraging to see that Aidan O’Sullivan who heads the archaeological Discovery Programme takes a great interest in Lake Settlement. Hopefully they’ll think of us when they find a few fish bones!

   Derived from this first conclusion we must focus on the Irish Fisheries and the work they have carried out so far in this context. During this series on the history of pike in Ireland and its alleged introduction we have proven clearly on numerous occasions that there is something wrong with the introduction theory. It is not sure at all that pike are introduced and numerous references on which they have built this theory are doubtful, incomplete and even wrong.

   This leads to our main conclusion. In one year’s research we have found more about the pike’s history than the Irish Fisheries did in half a century. Whilst we are surely very dedicated in what we are doing, we are not scientists and do not have for example regular access to National Libraries and Museums. Everything had to happen in our spare time and living in two different countries surely didn’t make it easier for us. The Fisheries have their own team of scientists, even their own Research Department. If they didn’t manage to find in 50 years what we found in one year then there is something wrong with their ability to carry out their job. If they did know all this but never told anyone and kept building their policies on the introduction theory then there is surely reason for drastic change. It is our opinion however that hardly anyone ever looked for the truth and the few people who did always looked hoping to find nothing. The case against the pike should be dropped on the grounds of lack of evidence. There should be an official review on the pike’s history and the cessation of all discriminatory measures against pike until such review is complete. We cannot stress enough the extreme importance of an Independent team of scientists to carry out such research. For far too long, the Irish Fisheries have played witness, judge and jury on their own actions. This cannot be tolerated any longer. More than this an official inquiry into this (and other) mishaps in the Irish Fisheries is needed. We hear that an official inquiry is on the agenda in the North, not the least thanks to Angling Ireland Editor Frank Quigley. Is he up for another battle here down south? We see a very important role here for the angling clubs in Ireland. It is refreshing to see the rapid development of the Irish Pike Society and our hopes lie with them.

Request

   Before rounding off we would like to ask anyone who thinks he or she might have interesting information or stories to add to our research to come forward and help us with our quest. Any bit of information, however small it is, is welcome to help complete the puzzle. We can be contacted via email at lius@infonie.fr

Acknowledgement

   Summing up a list of all the people who helped us in compiling these articles would force us to write another article! This would lead us too far so everyone who knows he or she contributed is kindly thanked. We wish however to make two exceptions. First of all we would like to thank the Editor of Angling Ireland Frank Quigley who gave us space to show our findings. Anyone reading this should realize how lucky Ireland is, in having a fishing magazine that is not bowing to influential groups like advertisers, clubs or organizations regarding the contents of its articles.

   Secondly we would like to mention and thank Nicholas Williams, Head Lecturer of The Irish Department, University College Dublin. He never tired of our requests for information, explanation and translation. He led us to numerous references and other people and without him this story would more than likely never have been written. We would like to finish by quoting Mr. Williams directly : "More research would, I am sure, yield more evidence that the pike is indigenous."…