Angler fined for using live fish as bait to catch pike on the River Barrow

A man who was before a sitting of Kilkenny District Court on 22 October was fined €300 and ordered to pay €400 in costs to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

The illegal incident was in contravention of the Prohibition on the Use of Live Fish as Bait in Fresh Water Bye-law.

The court heard that the defendant Oleksandr Gavryuchenkov of Ewings Bar Apartments, Carlow used live roach to catch pike along the River Barrow near Ballytiglea Lock, Borris, Carlow on 25 March this year.

Mr Gavryuchenkov was also accused of illegally having more than 750g of pike flesh. Anglers are not allowed to possess more than 0.75kgs of pike flesh or parts under statutory conservation measures.

Following the outcome of the case the South-Eastern Regional Director at IFI Lynda Connor said: “The use of live bait is banned by law to prevent the transfer of non-native species between freshwater systems.

“The vast majority of anglers in Ireland fish responsibly and sustainably, and abide by relevant state regulations. It is paramount that anglers continue to abide by stringent biosecurity protocols.” 

IFI is urging people to report illegal fishing activity, habitat destruction, water pollution, fish kills, or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes to its confidential 24/7 phone number 0818 34 74 24.