Ulster Unionist Culture, Arts and Leisure Spokesman, Robin Swann, has expressed his concern over the announcement from NI Water that a number of reservoirs will be closed to angling temporarily from January 2012.
The North Antrim MLA stated:
‘This announcement comes as a disappointment as it will have a dramatic effect on the sport of angling as well as recreational fishermen. Given that Northern Ireland is one of the best angling destinations in Europe, there will be an obvious knock on effect to tourism.'
"Whilst I fully understand that this was a decision which needed to be taken in order to lower water levels for vital refurbishment work, NI Water should have adopted a staggered approach to minimise disruption. However, as it stands we could have seven reservoirs closed for up to a year at around the same time. This is an unacceptable and avoidable situation and I would urge that these closures are looked at again with a view to implementing a staggered approach.’