Fisheries Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Byelaws.)

These Byelaws revoke and replace with amendments the Fisheries Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 1997.

The principal changes are as follows: –

1.  The definitions of “coarse fishing rod licence” and “concessionary season fishing rod licence” are amended to provide that each of the licences covers the use of two rods and lines or hand lines to fish for, take and kill eels and coarse fish (Byelaw 2). N.I.

2.  The definition of “juvenile season fishing rod licence” is amended to provide that the licence covers the use of two rods or hand lines to fish for, take and kill eels and coarse fish. The definition is also amended to provide that the licence also covers the use by a person under 12 years of age of more than one rod and line or hand line to fish for, take or kill, salmon, trout and rainbow trout, or more than two rods and lines or hand lines to fish for, take and kill eels and coarse fish (Byelaw 2). N.I.

3.  A new definition of “distributor” is inserted (Byelaw 2). N.I.

4.  Byelaw 4 makes express provision for – N.I.

(a) the issue of a licence authorising persons to fish for, take and kill various types of fish;

(b) the types of fishing engine that can be used under the licence;

(c) the waters in which fishing may be authorised under the licence;

(d) the duration of a licence;

(e) the conditions to which the licence is subject;

(f) the form of an angling licence and commercial fishing licence; and

(g) the alteration of a licence and its renewal.

5.  The Byelaws amend the licence duties payable from 1st January 2004 for fishing with rod and line or hand line for salmon and freshwater fish (Byelaw 6 and Part I of Schedule 3). N.I.

6.  Byelaw 9 limits the number of concessionary season fishing rod licences that may be issued to a disabled angler or to a person who has attained the age of 60 years to one in any calendar year. N.I.

The new licence fee rates for 2004, and the size of the increases or decreases, where applicable, are set out below: –

	Previous Rates	New Rates	Increase+ or Decrease −
	£	£	£
Season game fishing rod licence	21.50	15.00	– 6.50
Fourteen day game fishing rod licence	10.50	7.50	− 3.00
Three day game fishing rod licence	5.00	3.50	− 1.50
Concessionary season fishing rod licence	5.00	5.00	0.00
Juvenile season fishing rod licence	2.00	2.00	0.00
Amount payable by the holder of a current Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission game fishing rod and line licence for a game fishing rod licence	1.00	1.00	0.00
Season coarse fishing rod licence	8.00	15.00	+ 7.00
Fourteen day coarse fishing rod licence	4.00	7.50	+ 3.50
Three day coarse fishing rod licence for use by the holder of a three day coarse fishing permit issued by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to fish in waters in which the Department has the fishing rights	2.00	3.50	+ 1.50