Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has welcomed a statement by the DCAL Minister praising efforts by the Police and DCAL Inland Fisheries Officers  which resulted yesterday (Wednesday) in the seizure of a large amount of equipment and the dismantling of a significant illegal fishing operation on Lough Neagh.

Mr Swann said,

“I very much welcome the Minister’s comments supporting the work of the Police and DCAL’s Inland Fisheries officers and the difficult and at times dangerous job they do.

It is essential that the entire community endorses this position because Fisheries officers are often subject to intimidation and physical attack.

Indeed detectives from Craigavon are investigating an assault on Lough Neagh on Thursday, 2 August, when DCAL Fishery Protection Officers uncovered illegal fishing activity in the early hours of the morning.

These officers are doing a vital job in seeking to ensure that illegal fishing activities are disrupted so that legitimate fishermen and anglers can fish and that underwater ecosystems and fish stocks are protected and they deserve our thanks and support.”

Information:

The report of an assault was made to police on 2 August when DCAL Inland Fisheries boats detected illegal fishing while patrolling Lough Neagh during the early hours of that morning.

Details of the items seized include: two boxes of Pollon (approx 660 fish), two boxes of Perch (approx 1006 fish), 18 Brown Trout (undersize and out of season), 54 Roach (undersize), nine Roach (correct size), six Bream, three Eels, 21 new nets still in their bags (100 yards each), six new nets out of their bags (in total 3500 yards of new netting and 2000 yards of used netting).