Post by Davy Telford on Jun 15, 2011 9:17:32 GMT
Northern Ireland was once renowned for the myriad clean lakes, rivers and streams that crossed our countryside and the superb quality of the fishing they produced. Indeed we have several strains of Trout, thought to be unique to our part of the world; Lough Melvin’s Gillaroo and Sonaghan, Lough Erne’s Harvesters and Lough Neagh’s indigenous Trout, the Dollaghan, which includes the Boddagh and Black Boddagh. These unique fish make for a rich tapestry of angling heritage, hopefully to be nurtured and passed on to future generations.
Unfortunately due to the unstable political climate in Ulster some aspects of Government responsibilities appear to have been neglected, e.g. the Water Service and Environment Agency. Prior to this a radical flood defence exercise had already done enormous damage to our natural habitat by canalising rivers. Changing agricultural practices resulted in high levels of organic waste, nitrates and phosphates entering the river systems causing algae blooms, which remove oxygen from the water. Insecticides and sheep dips can wipe whole populations of invertebrates upon which fish and birds rely for food.
A brief look at the situation on the Six Mile Water, which runs into Lough Neagh at Antrim, will provide a snapshot of the typical problems facing our rivers today.
1. Some flood defence work, such as canalisation of stretches, seems to flush the water quickly downstream rather than let natural floodplains release the water gradually. This causes erosion and flooding down below and a loss of valuable wildlife habitat on the flood plains as they are then drained and used for agriculture.
2. Ill considered planning developments have resulted in properties encroaching on the river corridor, again causing loss of valuable wildlife habitat.
3. Pollution comes in various guises, all present on the Six Mile Water:
• Chemical – Industrial sources
• Sediment – Quarries, cement works + Landfill sites
• Sewage – NI Water discharge sites
• Farming effluents – agriculture
To try to deal with these problems anglers and other river users have set up the Six Mile Water Trust. The Trust includes many organisations in its membership ranging from Ulster Wildlife Trust to Antrim Boat Club, as well as local councillors, Biodiversity Officers, MLA’s and representatives from various Government agencies such as NIEA, DCAL, DARD, etc. To achieve maximum effectiveness we have contacted many sources to lobby on our behalf from Ulster Angling Federation and Countryside Alliance to Westminster MP’s and local politicians, Danny Kinahan & Rev. McCrea, being especially helpful. We also seek to raise the profile of the Trust through magazines & newspapers and attend events such as Celebrate Six Mile Water Event at Loughshore and Biodiversity Forum, Greenmount Campus. At many of the meetings we have a guest speaker and they have given us a fascinating insight into how the situation is changing in favour of the environment, especially with the advent of the EEC Water Framework Directive.
N.I. Water – for many years the biggest polluter in the Province – is at last receiving the funding and resources it requires and many millions of pounds are being spent upgrading treatment plants to ensure effluent is being treated to a very high standard before it leaves these plants.
DARD – The Countryside Management Scheme is to be made operational again whereby farmers are awarded grants according to the level of protection they provide to rivers adjacent to their fields. Also most of the building of new slurry tanks will be completed shortly, which should help control the amount of organic material entering river systems.
NIEA – We are very fortunate to have as our Secretary for the Trust, Eileen Mallon, from NIEA whose drive and professionalism inspires us all and she gives us a very good insight into how NIEA are going to implement the Water Framework Directive. River Basin Management Plans have been drawn up and then the various local management area schemes set in place. The River Basin Management Plans were officially launched at Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office on 21st January 2010 so the process is already well underway. On the pollution front NIEA seem to be more efficient in dealing with offenders and more prosecutions are certainly a better deterrent than the ineffectual warning letters of the past.
All of the above bode well for the future of our river environments and are a very positive step toward preserving our rapidly disappearing natural river heritage. Angling clubs also have a part to play in this scheme of things and they are all endeavouring to improve the situation by adopting habitat enhancement schemes, controlling pollution, stopping poaching, etc. The modern angler realises what a valuable resource he has been charged with and most nowadays have adopted a ‘preserve and conserve’ approach. Garry O’Neill and his team from DCAL are a great support to the angling community both in terms of advice and in practical help.
One thing we would like to have investigated is the commercial exploitation of Wild Brown Trout in Northern Ireland. The Government issues licences for the sale of Trout and there is evidence that the market is expanding radically, possibly linked to the decline of the eel fishery. Most anglers feel that Wild Brown Trout are far too valuable a commodity to be commercially sold. Before licences are granted resources should be granted to DCAL (which has recently absorbed the Fisheries Conservancy Board) to do extra monitoring and surveys required to establish if there is a viable sustainable harvest to be taken commercially; certainly the great runs of Dollaghan and Salmon witnessed by our fathers and grandfathers do not exist today.
As anglers we would like to protect and conserve the fish stocks, preserve the habitat and encourage jobs and tourism by sustainable angling. No longer is a good fishing day measured solely by the number of fish in the creel – far more satisfying is to know your contribution has improved the habitat for all the waterside wildlife – fish, otters, kingfishers, dippers, etc. This is how our angling clubs are starting to embrace the future and with the help and support of NIEA, DCAL, etc. we can restore our river habitats so we can be proud to hand down the legacy of a rich angling tradition to our children and grandchildren.
“…the wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after. “
King George VI
Unfortunately due to the unstable political climate in Ulster some aspects of Government responsibilities appear to have been neglected, e.g. the Water Service and Environment Agency. Prior to this a radical flood defence exercise had already done enormous damage to our natural habitat by canalising rivers. Changing agricultural practices resulted in high levels of organic waste, nitrates and phosphates entering the river systems causing algae blooms, which remove oxygen from the water. Insecticides and sheep dips can wipe whole populations of invertebrates upon which fish and birds rely for food.
A brief look at the situation on the Six Mile Water, which runs into Lough Neagh at Antrim, will provide a snapshot of the typical problems facing our rivers today.
1. Some flood defence work, such as canalisation of stretches, seems to flush the water quickly downstream rather than let natural floodplains release the water gradually. This causes erosion and flooding down below and a loss of valuable wildlife habitat on the flood plains as they are then drained and used for agriculture.
2. Ill considered planning developments have resulted in properties encroaching on the river corridor, again causing loss of valuable wildlife habitat.
3. Pollution comes in various guises, all present on the Six Mile Water:
• Chemical – Industrial sources
• Sediment – Quarries, cement works + Landfill sites
• Sewage – NI Water discharge sites
• Farming effluents – agriculture
To try to deal with these problems anglers and other river users have set up the Six Mile Water Trust. The Trust includes many organisations in its membership ranging from Ulster Wildlife Trust to Antrim Boat Club, as well as local councillors, Biodiversity Officers, MLA’s and representatives from various Government agencies such as NIEA, DCAL, DARD, etc. To achieve maximum effectiveness we have contacted many sources to lobby on our behalf from Ulster Angling Federation and Countryside Alliance to Westminster MP’s and local politicians, Danny Kinahan & Rev. McCrea, being especially helpful. We also seek to raise the profile of the Trust through magazines & newspapers and attend events such as Celebrate Six Mile Water Event at Loughshore and Biodiversity Forum, Greenmount Campus. At many of the meetings we have a guest speaker and they have given us a fascinating insight into how the situation is changing in favour of the environment, especially with the advent of the EEC Water Framework Directive.
N.I. Water – for many years the biggest polluter in the Province – is at last receiving the funding and resources it requires and many millions of pounds are being spent upgrading treatment plants to ensure effluent is being treated to a very high standard before it leaves these plants.
DARD – The Countryside Management Scheme is to be made operational again whereby farmers are awarded grants according to the level of protection they provide to rivers adjacent to their fields. Also most of the building of new slurry tanks will be completed shortly, which should help control the amount of organic material entering river systems.
NIEA – We are very fortunate to have as our Secretary for the Trust, Eileen Mallon, from NIEA whose drive and professionalism inspires us all and she gives us a very good insight into how NIEA are going to implement the Water Framework Directive. River Basin Management Plans have been drawn up and then the various local management area schemes set in place. The River Basin Management Plans were officially launched at Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office on 21st January 2010 so the process is already well underway. On the pollution front NIEA seem to be more efficient in dealing with offenders and more prosecutions are certainly a better deterrent than the ineffectual warning letters of the past.
All of the above bode well for the future of our river environments and are a very positive step toward preserving our rapidly disappearing natural river heritage. Angling clubs also have a part to play in this scheme of things and they are all endeavouring to improve the situation by adopting habitat enhancement schemes, controlling pollution, stopping poaching, etc. The modern angler realises what a valuable resource he has been charged with and most nowadays have adopted a ‘preserve and conserve’ approach. Garry O’Neill and his team from DCAL are a great support to the angling community both in terms of advice and in practical help.
One thing we would like to have investigated is the commercial exploitation of Wild Brown Trout in Northern Ireland. The Government issues licences for the sale of Trout and there is evidence that the market is expanding radically, possibly linked to the decline of the eel fishery. Most anglers feel that Wild Brown Trout are far too valuable a commodity to be commercially sold. Before licences are granted resources should be granted to DCAL (which has recently absorbed the Fisheries Conservancy Board) to do extra monitoring and surveys required to establish if there is a viable sustainable harvest to be taken commercially; certainly the great runs of Dollaghan and Salmon witnessed by our fathers and grandfathers do not exist today.
As anglers we would like to protect and conserve the fish stocks, preserve the habitat and encourage jobs and tourism by sustainable angling. No longer is a good fishing day measured solely by the number of fish in the creel – far more satisfying is to know your contribution has improved the habitat for all the waterside wildlife – fish, otters, kingfishers, dippers, etc. This is how our angling clubs are starting to embrace the future and with the help and support of NIEA, DCAL, etc. we can restore our river habitats so we can be proud to hand down the legacy of a rich angling tradition to our children and grandchildren.
“…the wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after. “
King George VI