Safety
Certification standard awarded to an angling charter boat by the Marine Survey Office and its insurance cover should be established before confirming a booking. - ALL passengers on board a boat of less than 7 metres (23 feet) in length MUST WEAR a lifejacket or personal flotation device.
- For boats longer than 7 metres, all passengers up to the age of 16 MUST WEAR a lifejacket.
- Dinghy fishermen should check the weather forecast and inform someone ashore of their intended departure, time of returning and of the area which they plan to fish.
- Local advice as to hazards and dangers should always be obtained.
- Shore anglers should be aware of all tide levels and times to avoid being cut off by the incoming tide on promontories, rocks and some beaches.
- Rock fishing conditions should never be approached in wet conditions as rocks can become slippery and dangerous underfoot.
- Rock fishing should not be considered in onshore winds of over Force 5.
Sea Trout
Several references are made in the text to the possibility of catching sea trout at certain locations.
The close season for sea trout in the Western Fisheries Region (Ballinakill, Connemara and Galway Fishery Districts) extends from October 1st. to May 31st. in the following year, both dates inclusive. The angling season for sea trout does not commence until June 1st.
All sea trout caught in the Western Fisheries Region during the angling season MUST BE RETURNED ALIVE TO THE WATER. It is illegal to kill sea trout, to have in possession or control dead sea trout, or to sell or offer for sale sea trout (Bye-law 759, 1999).
It should be pointed out that a state licence is required for sea trout fishing. Licences can be obtained from The Western Regional Fisheries Board, The Weir Lodge, Earls Island, Galway. Tel:(091) 563118. Fax: (091) 566335 e-Mail:info@wrfb.ie Web:www.wrfb.ie
Sea Angling Regulations