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Glen Owel Cup Produces A Triumphant Win For Pike Anglers
On the 12th June 2005 a so called "Angling Competition" was held on Lough Owel by the Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association. As reported in the Midland Topic by local angling guide Mick Flanagan "we saw some disgraceful behaviour by local anglers and prominent Mullingar people". The Glen Owel cup is a family day out and "all species" competition used to promote angling and enjoy the local angling resources in the Mullingar area. However, to quote the Midland Topic "The manner in which pike were handled and the complete disregard for the pike and coarse fishing bye-laws by some competitors was very unsightly". On the day holding tanks had been provided by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board to facilitate the live transfer of any pike caught. On the day pike close to twenty pounds were simply caught and dumped into the bottom of boats and left to die a slow painful death. A majority of participants did posses holding tanks, however it would seem that their ef forts to abide by the rules and state legislation were to no avail as at the end of the competition the few fish that had been transferred to the S.R.F.B. holding tank were mishandled. Lifting live pike by the eye sockets seemed to be quite acceptable. What chance did these fish have even if transferred after such abuse? This behaviour was carried out in front of junior anglers. To display such disregard for wildlife in front of young and impressionable anglers speaks volumes about the barbaric mindset present in The Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association and the obvious lack of understanding on how humans behave in the 21st century. As the events of 12th June 2005 began to surface IPS Liaison officer Leo Farrell and IPS "An Luis" editor Robin Cook began to investigate why this was allowed to happen. It quickly became apparent that there were many other parties dissatisfied with what had occurred and were also prepared to take action. Animal welfare groups such as the ISPCA began to investigate and quickly realised that a breach of the Protection of Wildlife Act had taken place and that Garda involvement was required in order to bring about prosecution to offending members of the Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association. The Gardai quickly set about interviewing a number of people along with the S.R.F.B. We now expect there to be prosecutions. On 1st July 2005 a live radio interview took place on Midlands Radio conducted by “Willie Geraghty ". Willie interviewed “Stanley McKeon”, spokesperson of the Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association. The interview was conducted without any challenge to Mr. "Mckeon " as request ed and hence served as an opportunity for Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association to muddy the waters surrounding this incident. Junior anglers were blamed for treating the pike the way they were treated on the day. Shortly after this interview IPS Liaison officer Leo Farrell was interviewed to provide some clarity on what actually happened an12th June 2005 and also on legislation that governs all anglers nationwide. A similar interview was also held on BBC Ulster radio by Leo Farrell earlier that day. Also it was made clear that not only had fishery bye laws been breached but also the Protection of Wildlife Act. The IPS has been assured by the S.R.F.B. that action will be taken against any guilty party. We expect the situation to be monitored by both the Gardai and ISPCA. Mick Flanagan and the Midland Topic, Leo Farrell, Robin Cook and Midlands Radio must be commended for their excellent and frank reporting of these events in what quickly became a hostile and unfriendly environment for those willing to tell the truth. Also the ISPCA and An Garda Siochana must be congratulated on such prompt and informed action after the event. Following the Glen Owel Cup two more similar events were held. These events were held in the Mullingar area on both Lough Ennell, and Lough Lene. It is our understanding that due to the public outcry over events at Lough Owel all fish were handled in a proper manner at both these events. The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board must be congratulated for supervising and informing all participants of fishery bye laws during the Lough Lene event. Serious questions must be asked of the S.R.F.B. in relation to the transfer of pike. As indicated by the S.R.F.B. CEO Eamonn Cusack in letters to the IPS (see Shannon Regional Fisheries Board) the S.R.F.B. have implemented the recommendations of the pike review. If this is the case why are pike over 75cm being transferred to other waters when caught during so called "pike competitions". Surely if the S.R.F.B. are implementing the pike review recommendations then any fish over 75cm should be weighed and released back to the water immediately. The National Birds Association of Ireland dont dictate to migratory Hooper Swans what lakes they can nest at or tell a wren you can live in this bush but not that one, so why should it apply fish at all? IPS seeking Pike Review status
Since the beginning of the year the IPS have been following up on the long overdue outcome and proposed implementation of the Pike Review. While some of the responses recieved from the CFB, regional boards and relevant government departments have been relatively positive others have not. Click on the links below to see some of the correspondance recieved over recent months. See the most recent correspondance with the WRFB at this link Western Regional Fisheries Board |
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