This is a video which shows how the I.F,I has been for decades using cruel tactics to rid pike from our Loughs ,not only pike but Trout, Salmon, Ducks, Swans,etc. anything that swims into these barricades are in trouble . This is where your Tax Euros are going to to fund this senseless act. It's something the public have no knowledge about or ever see happening . As a full time Salmon /Pike /Trout Guide i decided to video them ,something they did not take kindly to (Something to hide?) I sent this video straight to H.Q. Dublin C.E.O.Dr Byrne " where it was seen as "disturbing"The CEO issued an instruction to cease all pike management pending full review . I was requested to remove the video as they envisaged that following the implementation of the new procedures i would not see the need to repost them in the future. As soon as i started to video on Lough Conn I was cautioned as the Officers thought i might be causing an obstruction ,and also privacy laws regarding video taping . (More like they were afraid what i was going to find out) Both allegations were investigated by I.F.I.,and were deemed unfounded. After a game of cat and mouse on the lough when they would not check the nets in Knockmore Bay they sat out in the middle of the lough killing time ,then stood on shore behind Poteen Island ,hoping i would disappear.However i stayed at the nets, and they finally decided they would have to come and lift them. I then went to there base 1 mile up the Lough where i knew they had to go with the pike .They arrived 30 mins later and stopped the boat short of there base as i was waiting up the cut out where they would normally go. Huddled around the boat they were completely confused as what to do and stood around whispering and pondering in puzzlement what to do. This went on for around 20mins as the (22 pike 3 already dead) lay in a tub with very little water .There Manager arrived on the scene to help out in the fiasco. After transfering the pike the boat sailed up the dug out to the base .The jeep took the pike to the I.F.I yard. Only after i told them pike over 85cms should be released again , they decided (For the Camera) to bring 3 pike in a bucket to release them (Probably a first ).About 6ins water in bucket backs dry on the pike. The manager decided to put a pike back into the bucket,after trying to revive it , i took it out and put it back again and it swam off . The whole operation was very unprofessional,yet this has been going on for decades .If this is what they do on camera! I would dread to think what they would normally do.Note (Two of these Officers are dedicated Trout Fly angler's on the Lough) " Cat Among the Pidgeons." The manager rounded off a comedy of errors by sarcastically saying "Your The Expert Are Ya" as i was putting the pike back that he had taken out. Also my friend (26 years old) was asking questions why they were Gill Netting , again another sarcastic reply by Manager "Your 40 years working in the fisheries are ya" . Not a great example to set in front of his staff to over hear .There's an old saying "The Fish Rots from the Head". Quote from there Manager Declan Cooke( Ballina) "I think the most serious threat to LoughConn/Cullen trout is fact {The Super Abundance Of Roach on both lakes}.There populations have been exploding since 1995 and there appears to be no sign of numbers stablilising since then.They are known to be voraciously planktiverous and probably had such an impact on plankton diversity and abundance that they have significently reduced Juvenile Brown Trout recruitment and survival in both lakes.They have changed the ecological balance of the lakes for good and there is no way to manage these stocks." Well how about leaving the pike in there natural environment and they will manage the Loughs for you for free. Once man starts to intervene it changes the ecological balance of the lakes ,less pike more Roach !! (Job for the boy's comes to mind) Let nature take it's course. Trapped in nets On Cullen/Conn 2008 - 2014 , 73 Salmon, 528 Trout, 6,853 Pike, at a cost of €262,333. to the tax payer. To voice your opinion the C.E.O. of this Goverment body is at ciaran.byrne@fisheriesireland.ie Other Video's....... https://youtu.be/QLLoUmk4CnE https://youtu.be/lHfZ10xA8pw

• published: 03 Mar 2016
• views: 11609