State fisheries in Mayo closing due to high water temperatures

INLAND Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is closing the Galway Fishery in Galway city and the Erriff Fishery in Co. Mayo from tomorrow because of high water temperatures.

All angling will be suspended from midnight tonight until further notice.

The Clongee Fishery in Mayo is also due to close from midnight, and fishing at the Moy Fishery and Ballyvary Fishery may be paused due to warming waters there too.

Barry Fox, IFI’s head of operations, said: "When temperature levels in the water return to an appropriate range for freshwater fish, we will reopen the fisheries.

"IFI officers will continue to monitor temperatures over the coming days to assess the impact this current hot spell is having on the welfare of native fish species."

IFI is guided by scientific advice that indicates a dramatic increase in angling-related mortalities at temperatures above 20 degrees.

The sites will re-open when at least two successive water temperature readings of less than 18 degrees Celsius will be recorded.

Anglers with bookings affected by the closures are being contacted by IFI staff.

Anglers using catch-and-release methods are encouraged to limit the exposure of fish to air, or avoid it completely where possible.

IFI also urge the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, or water pollution at this time to its confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.

The Moy, Galway, Erriff, Cloongee and Ballyvary fisheries are owned by the State and operated by Inland Fisheries Ireland.