In light of the current situation with the risk of farm animals being infected with FMD, FISSTA have postponed the Protest Rally organised for Listowel on Saturday the 3rd. March until further notice. FISSTA advise all our affiliated Clubs/Associations to close their fisheries for angling both to all including tourists and their own members until further notice. All angling clubs must cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure our farming industry is protected as much as possible from this epidemic.

Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.

For Immediate Release. Fahy urges anglers to stop fishing

State fisheries closed to head off FMD risk to farm animals

Dublin, 28 February, 2001.

Frank Fahey TD, Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources has called on all anglers not to go fishing at this time as part of a drive to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease to this country.

The Minister said, "that all sections of the community must play their part to counter the spread of FMD, anglers are in a particular position to help, in view of their contact and use of farmland and to access rivers and lakes". In light of the current situation the Minister has issued the following advise:

all anglers should refrain from fishing at this time;
no fishing permits will be issued in respect of state fisheries until further notice;
private fishery owners should not operate their fisheries for the moment;
Tourist angling promoters should encourage visiting anglers to postpone their angling trips for the immediate future;
all angling competitions should be cancelled for the moment; and,
Fishery boards will cease stocking and transfer of fish in freshwater until further notice.

The Minister said " I realize that some anglers, in particular tourist anglers, may be disappointed at not being able to go fishing but the overall good is best served at this time by everybody in the angling community, both domestic and overseas, co-operating and playing their part".

The Minister has also called on all angling clubs and organizations to encourage their members to refrain from angling at this time and to co-operate with the Fisheries Board to avoid any risk to our livestock resource.

The Minister said that he would keep the overall situation under review in conjunction with his colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.