Fish Farmer convicted of fisheries related offence
Date published:
A County Antrim Fish Farmer was found guilty of a fisheries related offence and was given an absolute discharge at Ballymena Magistrates' Court today.
Raymond Mairs (72) of Nutts Corner Road, Crumlin, Co. Antrim was found guilty of one breach of legislation as prescribed under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, as amended.
The breach was, ‘Failure to cover gratings at a water abstraction’.
On 12 April 2021, a DAERA Fisheries Officer was on a routine inspection of water abstraction to ensure compliance as prescribed under legislation. During one of these inspections of a fish farm, located on the Lower River Bann, to ensure the correct screening was in place the officer noted that appropriate screening was not in place to prevent fish from entering the workings of the fish farm which can cause injury/death to fish and delay/prevent migration.
As per legislation, a lattice screen must be in place at the point of abstraction during the months of March, April and May when salmon smolts are migrating through the river systems.
DAERA Inland Fisheries Inspectorate is committed to pursue those whose actions have a detrimental effect on fish. If you are aware or suspect any offences being committed which have a detrimental effect on Inland fisheries, you should contact DAERA Inland Fisheries Inspectorate on 0300 200 7860 or outside office hours contact 0800 807 060.
Notes to editors:
1. Where a water course carries water from a lake or river during the months of March, April and May and at any other time when the fry of salmon or trout are descending the river or lake, there shall be placed over the entire surface of every such grating a wire lattice of such dimensions as to effectually prevent the admission of fry or small fish into the watercourse.
2. Exemptions may be granted to certain parts of sections 54, 58 and 59 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) requirements by application to the Department.
3. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office via email on press.office@daera-ni.gov.uk or via telephone on 028 9016 3460.
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.