Following some diligent protection work, the recent disclosure by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), three brown trout seized in Galway has stirred further criticism of Cairde an Chláir’s actions concerning the new Bye-law No. 1008, 2023.
Since the new bye-law was introduced in April 2024, Cairde an Chláir has been criticised by a very vocal minority element of the angling fraternity for the introduction of this new conservation measure. Statements have been made on social media that are unjust and untrue, and are stated by persons who have no understanding or knowledge of what we as an organisation do or have achieved. Cairde an Chláir proposed a two fish bag limit for brown trout in the Clare River, because of a concern regarding the overexploitation of mature fish by thoughtless anglers and if we ever needed proof of our concern, then we have irrefutable evidence with the IFI disclosure.
The critical narrative by the few, has ramped up since the publication of a poorly informed article which appeared in the Connacht Tribune, July 16th. Strewn with error and although not stated, the article implied that Cairde an Chláir had against the majority of public opinion, unfairly pushed for the new bye-law to be introduced. This implied conjecture could not have been any further from the truth. The Connacht Tribune did not contact Cairde an Chláir for information or a statement, and their biased opinion was primarily influenced from statements provided by a Mr Michael McGrath.
There was no conscious effort to openly review the argument of one body against another. A good journalist seeking impartiality, would have listened to the argument from both sides, however, Dara Bradley, who wrote the article made no attempt to contact Cairde an Chláir, instead, he failed to validate the information provided or provide other research. As a consequence, he produced an article that was misleading to the general public.
Cairde an Chláir proposed a conservation measure to protect the mature brown trout of the Clare River. This was for a two fish bag limit for brown trout and the proposal was put to IFI for review. IFI, the state agency for the protection and conservation of fish in Ireland, followed a legal and regulatory process, and put the proposal to Public Consultation. Submissions were made and then assessed, and the result, was an overwhelming majority of anglers in favour of the new conservation measure. This was then recommended for review by the ministers office and the Minister Eamon Ryan signed off the recommendation into law. Everything about this process was performed to meet a legal regulatory requirement and the decision was made following the best interests of public opinion. There was nothing untoward about the actions taken by both Cairde an Chláir or Inland Fisheries Ireland, and yet there is a minority vocal element who cannot accept this and continually criticise our actions using a social media platform or by inciting questionable articles in a local publication.
Please note the response letter from the chairman of Cairde an Chláir, Richard Jordan, to the Chairman of Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding the article in question.
It is sad that there are people who just cannot move on from issues that were not resolved to their satisfaction and let passed grudges and grievances lie. This minority element once had voice and anglers listened to them, but the voice didn’t change and the nations anglers are no longer listening. Anglers are tired of the same old rhetoric and all this negativity. The messages have remained the same, they chose to wallow in history and age old grievances are repeated like a scratched record. Even the poor old rod licence dispute is aired on a regular basis. There was a time when this was relevant, but that was well over thirty years ago, times have now changed, it is 2024 and we live in a modern world of greater enlightenment. Surely it is now time to move on.
Cairde an Chláir take no pleasure in seeing an angler convicted of a crime, however, when that angler has taken three stunning brown trout between 48 and 56cm it is difficult to feel a level sympathy for him. The majority of those anglers who wish to take a fish, would be more than happy with one trout of that size range. In the light of this misdemeanor, we feel that justice has been served, and we fully support the diligent protection work carried out by IFI staff for the protection of our wild fisheries. Those three brown trout were all hen fish and they would have produced around 10,000 to 12,000 eggs. Our system, the Clare River has been robbed of this potential reproductive value by a man who had no thought for the future of the ecosystem.
Perhaps in this case and for all the criticism that we have endured, justice is a dish best served cold.