Quoile River deserves to be cared for to ensure revival

SIR, — The time has come for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to take a serious interest in Downpatrick’s Quoile River.

It would appear no one at this level of government cares about the river which is one of the most picturesque in Ireland. Seals have decimated fish socks and anglers are becoming increasingly concerned about the appearance of sludge.

There was a time when anglers were lined along the banks of the river, now you are lucky to find just one or two. It would appear that as far as the officials responsible for the river are concerned it is a case of “out of sight, out of mind.”

At a time when Newry, Mourne and Down Council is placing major emphasis on tourism, it should do more to help regenerate the Quoile which has the undoubted potential to attract anglers in significant numbers, if it was properly stocked and maintained.

If local anglers are correct, the Downpatrick river is not being accorded the same priority as some of Northern Ireland’s other designated fishing rivers by the statutory authorities and this is an issue local politicians must address. 

Local fishermen argue if the level of investment in the Quoile was on a power with that spent on rivers in Newry or Fermanagh where major regional and international fishing competitions are held, the seal issue would have been addressed and action taken to address the sludge problem. 

Quite clearly, politicians need to start asking some hard questions. Stormont may not be sitting but  senior civil servants remain in post and they need to be pressed on the level of investment in the Quoile River over recent years and if there are any future plans to assist with its regeneration to complement the local council’s tourism drive.

Yours etc,

INQUISITIVE,

Downpatrick.

(Name and address supplied).