Fisheries Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part XVII Annual Close Seasons and Close Times for Commercial Fishing

77.  A person shall not fish for, take or kill salmon with a fishing engine other than rod and line or hand line in the sea and tidal waters—

(a) from 16th September in any year to 17th March in the next following year, both dates inclusive; or

(b) during the period commencing at 8 o'clock am on each Saturday and ending at 8 o'clock am on the next following Monday.

78.  A person shall not fish for, take or kill salmon or trout with a fishing engine other than rod and line or hand line in fresh water from 20th August to the last day of February in the next following year, both dates inclusive, save and except that in the River Bush, the annual close season shall be from 16th September in any year to 17th March in the next following year, both dates inclusive.

79.  A person shall not have any net for the taking of salmon, trout or any coarse fish on board any boat in any waters during the annual close season or weekly close time for salmon, trout or that coarse fish.

80.  A person shall not, on Lough Neagh—

(a) take any coarse fish except pollen with a fishing engine, other than rod and line or hand line from 1st March to 31st May, both dates inclusive; or

(b) take any coarse fish with a fishing engine, other than rod and line or hand line during the period commencing at 6 o'clock am on any Saturday and ending at 6 o'clock am on the next following Monday.

81.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) the annual close season for the taking of coarse fish, except pollen, on Upper and Lower Lough Erne by means of single wall set nets, trammel nets or draft nets shall be from 17th March to 17th December, both dates inclusive, in each year.

(2) There shall be no annual close season for the taking of coarse fish by means of bait nets where such fish taken are for use solely as bait.