Altnahinch ‘damned’ by illegal fishing
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Cllr Anita Cavlan beside the vandalised signs at Altnahinch dam.
ILLEGAL fishing, vandalism and littering are becoming a scourge at what should be a prime local beauty spot and recreational area according to a Ballymoney Councillor.
Altnahinch Dam, owned by Northern Ireland Water, near Corkey is frequented by local anglers, many of them retired, who go to enjoy a spot of peaceful fishing but increasingly, especially at weekends, younger people go to fish without permits, use illegal fishing methods and leave their litter behind them.
As well as that there is much evidence of vandalism at the site. Sinn Fein Councillor Anita Cavlan said, "There is a lot of illegal fishing going on. People are taking 20 fish at a time just after the lake has been stocked. Instead of using the fly they use maggots, which are illegal, and sweet corn as bait."
She went on, "If you ask people to pay for game permits you want to be assured that you are able to fish in peace. There is a four fish limit. Up to twenty people arrive when the lake is stocked, they come up in droves and haul the fish out."
“I would like to see a bailiff service do a regular inspection of the area to make sure it is kept clean and properly maintained. The illegal methods of fishing shouldn't be allowed." She indicated that some older fishermen were nervous about coming forward. She continued, "There is a lot of litter, beer cans, sweet corn cans, plastic bags coke cans all around the edge. A man hole cover has been removed and quite a few of the coping stones have been pushed of the wall. Not just one person could have done it. Its vandalism as far as I am concerned."
