Quoile fish stocks fall

Quoile fish stocks fall

1 February 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

A WARNING has been issued that fish stocks in the Quoile River have reached “dangerously low levels.”

Concerned anglers say seals which have found their way into the Downpatrick waterway from Strangford Lough are “eating everything before them” and believe if the issue isn’t addressed there will soon be no fish left.

Anglers have also appealed to local politicians for help to have the seals removed and for repairs to a so-called fish pass erected at the Quoile barrier.

It was designed to allow fish to pass between the river and Strangford Lough but part of it was damaged a number of years ago, allowing seals could pass through it. Anglers say despite making fisheries officials aware of the problem four years ago, repairs haven’t been carried out.

Quoile anglers Keith Kirton and Raymond O’Prey claim there are six or seven seals currently in the river “where pike stocks are virtually gone and quantities of perch, roach and rudd at dangerously low levels.”

Mr. Kirton said fishermen don’t come to Downpatrick any more and questioned the logic of a recent decision to spend £50,000 to encourage salmon spawning at the Annacloy River.

The angler explained this river joins with the Quoile and that when the salmon eventually decide to return to Annacloy they won’t make it as they’ll be gobbled up by the seals.

Mr. Kirton continued: “The Quoile used to be one of the best fishing rivers in Ireland, but not any more. The damaged fish pass means seals have free access to the river where they are eating everything before them.

“There have been problems with sewage spills in the river in the past but the upgrade of the Belfast Road treatment plant has led to a major improvement in water quality. We now have a situation where the water is excellent, but there are no fish.”

He added: “Those in authority are turning a blind eye to what’s happening at the Quoile. Only last weekend I saw a seal with a large roach in its mouth and it’s sadly becoming an all too familiar sight. We are crying out for help and hope our appeal will be answered.”

Mr. O’Prey said anglers want repairs to the fish pass carried out as soon as possible and for steps to be taken to remove the seals.

He said fishing used to be “brilliant” at the Quoile, but is now a waste of time.

“The Quoile could become one of the best rivers in Ireland if it was properly managed. Fishermen are paying for licences and permits, but there are literally no fish to catch in the Quoile.”

A spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure said seals were protected species under the NI Wildlife Order.

She confirmed that as a result of the anglers’ concerns, local fisheries staff will assess and report, liaising with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency as appropriate.

The spokeswoman added: “The Rivers Agency own the barrage and fish pass. DCAL will monitor and liaise with them to see if seals can be prevented from re-entry to the Quoile pondage via the pass when they have moved back out to sea.”