Moy Fishery closure sparks fears for Ballina's economy

Ballina councillors have agreed to write to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to urge the body to review its Warm Water Protocol and closure policy for the Moy Fishery amid concerns over the impact on tourism and the local economy.

The motion, tabled by Cllr Annie May Reape at the July meeting of Ballina Municipal District, called on the council to contact IFI as a matter of urgency following a number of closures at the Moy Fishery over the past month due to elevated water temperatures.

Councillors said the closures were having a significant impact on Ballina's reputation as the Salmon Capital, warning that visiting anglers who travel to the town specifically to fish may choose not to return if they continue to be prevented from fishing on the Moy.

IFI's Warm Water Protocol sees fisheries close when two water temperature readings exceeding 20 degrees Celsius are recorded within a 24-hour period. The protocol is based on scientific evidence indicating that angling-related mortality increases significantly when temperatures exceed that threshold, placing fish under potentially lethal stress.

Opening the discussion, Cllr Reape said many constituents had contacted her expressing their concerns. She noted that their meeting coincided with Heritage Day, the main event of Ballina's Salmon Festival and one of the busiest days of the year in the town, making the closure of the Moy Fishery all the more significant.

"It was closed this week when we have visitors and anglers here every day, and we have the Salmon Festival at the moment. I believe there are still stocks in the river and [people] are not being allowed to fish. It's not right," she said.

While acknowledging that the council had "very little power" to influence IFI's policy, Cllr Reape said it was important that councillors made their views known.

She also asked that the council's letter highlight concerns that salmon are more exposed to seals when anglers are not present along the river.

The motion was seconded by Cllr John O'Hara, who said anglers travelled from all over the world to experience salmon fishing on the River Moy.

“People arrange their holidays for a week in Ballina, and to think they won't be allowed to fish. They aren’t coming for anything else. It's like putting an advertisement that something is going on and then locking the gate to it,” he said.

Cllr O'Hara said visiting anglers make a valuable contribution to the local economy by staying in local accommodation, dining in restaurants and supporting businesses throughout the town. He estimated that some anglers spend up to €2,000 during a week's visit.

He warned that repeated closures risk damaging Ballina's reputation as an angling destination, arguing that anglers who are prevented from fishing on one or two visits are unlikely to return for a third.

“We are closing the door on our best asset. Our fisheries should not be held to ransom for this. The seals are eating the fish anyway, they’re having a royal time now,” he said. “Fishing is what Ballina is known for, it's the capital of the world for fishing, and we are losing out,” he added.

Cllr Reape agreed, saying the onus was on councillors to advocate on behalf of the town and its businesses. She said anglers were now leaving Ballina to fish in other counties and noted the loss of valuable tourism revenue for the local economy.

She added that Ballina's reputation as the Salmon Capital and the fact that anglers travel from around the world to fish the River Moy are a source of great pride for the town.

“We have to impress on [IFI] to keep it open,” she said. “We are the authority to do that, we have very little power with IFI - but we are not going to go away.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.