#Angling - Government parties may face a backlash in next month's local elections over new angling regulations, with fears of a return of the rod licence disputes - or 'rod wards' - of the late 1980s.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the proposed new Inland Fisheries Bill aims to toughen legislation in the river and lake fishing sector and provide a stronger framework for angling regulation (see HERE for an FAQ on the proposals).
But as The Irish Times reports, anglers are wary that the legal update will introduce compulsory charges for all game, coarse pike and sea angling nationwide, as well as a national register with ID cards and a penalty points regime.
While the move towards new legislation has been welcomed by the Angling Council of Ireland, it is facing strong opposition from the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland and the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers, both of which broke away from the council some years ago - as well as the Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs, whose members voted against any proposal for compulsory charges at its last AGM.
The Irish Times, which has much more on the story HERE, has meanwhile dismissed opposition to the new bill in an editorial, stating that "if a resource is not directly owned and managed, it tends to be ruthlessly exploited" and claiming that "raw emotion is driving opposition to change".
What do you think about the proposals for Ireland's angling resource? Have your say in the comments below.
