The Kells, Connor and Glenwherry Angling Club River Enhancement Officer Gareth Cooper and TUV North Antrim MP Jim Allister.
North Antrim MP Jim Allister has described the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) decision to refuse permission for a local fishery to reopen as “DAERA petulance at its worst”.
The Kells, Connor and Glenwherry Angling Club expressed their serious disappointment at the end of August after the Department said no to a major initiative aimed at restoring Salmon and Dollaghan stocks on the Kellswater River in County Antrim.
Following an application to utilise the club’s mothballed hatchery on the Kellswater River in an attempt to boost the levels of fish returning to this stretch, the Angling club were shocked to learn that their initiative had been turned down despite similar successful programmes in Scotland and Wales.
Last week the club’s River Enhancement Officer Gareth Cooper welcomed the North Antrim MP to the club facility in Kells to discuss a range of issues affecting the Kellswater/Glenwherry River and wider Maine system.
Some of these issues include difficulties faced by returning migratory fish, such as obstacles caused by industrial water extraction, hydro electric apparatus and pollution, including the current state of Lough Neagh.
Mr Allister was given a tour of the club hatchery, which unfortunately is not in current operation.
This facility had operated very successfully over the years and played a great role in teaching local school children the importance of looking after the environment, river and ecosystem.
Mr Allister has offered his full support in assisting the club in its efforts to resolve many of these issues.
Commenting on his visit to the County Antrim fishery, TUV MP for North Antrim Jim Allister said:
“Here we have an example of DAERA petulance at its worst. A fine public spirited facility, which was helping to keep the Kellswater River stocked, has been closed down by DAERA belligerently refusing the necessary permissions - not for sound reasons, but on the whim of apparently disinterested officials.
“There is no rhythm or reason to the department’s approach, which needs to be urgently reviewed.”