Irish Specimen Fish Committee Annual Report 2003 Irish Specimen Fish Committee Annual Report 2003 Contents Chairmans Review Chairmans Review ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction, New Records ............................................................................................................................. 3 2003 was another busy year for the Irish Specimen Fish Committee. The climatologists will Special Awards Categories probably report, in contrast to last year, a somewhat drier and warmer summer than normal. 10 Species Award................................................................................................................................. 5 The “Indian Summer” extended the boat angling season at sea being especially productive for 50 Specimens Award............................................................................................................................ 5 Courtmacsherry. A particularly notable feature of the specimen year 2003 was the record 10 Specimens Award............................................................................................................................ 5 Dr. A.E.J. Went Award ......................................................................................................................... 5 number of Dutch anglers that caught specimen fish. The Ministers Award............................................................................................................................ 6 Specimen Fish Claims ratified in 2003 Great news for anglers is the arrival of the ISFC website www.irish-trophy-fish.com which Freshwater Fish Listings 2003 went on-line recently. We look forward to developing this side of our activities. The Coarse Fish and Pike Committee wishes to thank Myles Kelly CFB Website Manager for a phenomenal voluntary Bream .................................................................................................................................................. 7 contribution in the development of the website. This is a major advancement and Mr. Kelly Carp ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 is to be congratulated for his efforts. Our gratitude is also extended to the Central Fisheries Board for its assistance. Dace, Eel ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Anglers and the angling tourism industry will benefit greatly from the website. Perch ..................................................................................................................................................10 Pike (Lake) ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Pike (River) ....................................................................................................................................... 12 The Coalfish record established in 2002 was broken again in 2003. New records were also established for Bullhuss Roach ................................................................................................................................................ 13 and Albacore. Claims were received for black-mouthed dogfish, golden grey mullet and roach/rudd hybrids and the Roach/Bream Hybrid ........................................................................................................................ 13 status of these non-listed fish will be reviewed for incorporation into the specimen fish listings in the usual manner. Rudd/Bream Hybrid .......................................................................................................................... 15 Only three specimen claims were received for bluefin tuna during the past year. The Committee is investigating Tench ................................................................................................................................................. 15 conservation-oriented recording measures for such species. Meanwhile, the specimen weight for bluefin has been Game Fish increased to 250 kg. Salmon ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Brown Trout (Lake) ......................................................................................................................... 16 Brown Trout (River) ......................................................................................................................... 18 Conscious of the need for conservation, the ISFC appreciates the dilemma our rules present for anglers wishing to Sea Trout ........................................................................................................................................... 18 register a specimen fish, especially where these rules require presentation of the fish for ratification of the claim. For Marine Fish Listings 2003 this reason the ISFC is investigating genetic techniques, which, if satisfactory, will allow positive identification of Bass .................................................................................................................................................... 20 certain fish without having to conduct internal examinations. However, the research and delivery of such techniques Coalfish .............................................................................................................................................. 21 are extremely expensive in the context of the ISFC budget. In fact, budgetary constrains continue to impede the Cod .................................................................................................................................................... 23 ISFC’s development and further support of the angling industry. Conger Eel, Dab ................................................................................................................................ 24 Spur Dogfish, Lesser Spotted Dogfish ............................................................................................. 25 Two important amendments to the rules are being introduced. It will no longer be necessary for claimants to forward Greater Spotted Dogfish, Garfish, Tub Gurnard, Grey Gurnard ...................................................... 26 Red Gurnard ...................................................................................................................................... 27 the body of specimen tub gurnard. Good quality, sharply focused, colour photographs, showing clearly the upper John Dory, Ling ................................................................................................................................ 28 surface of the pectoral fins which must be displayed fully open and the lateral line, will suffice. The body of most Grey Mullet ..................................................................................................................................... 30 species is not required for authentication of a specimen claim. From 2003 onwards, anglers claiming a potential Pollack ............................................................................................................................................... 31 record fish, regardless of category, have to supply a clear sharp colour photograph with an indication of scale (fish Pouting .............................................................................................................................................. 32 size) showing the key identification features with the claim form. Thornback Ray, Blonde Ray.............................................................................................................. 33 Cuckoo Ray, Homelyn Ray, Undulate Ray, Painted Ray, Sting Ray ................................................ 34 I cautioned in my review of 2002 of the dangers posed by relocation and illegal introduction of non-native aquatic Three Bearded Rockling, Twaite Shad, Six Gilled Shark ................................................................ 35 species. The Committee appeals to anglers to demonstrate maturity, responsibility and a sense of national pride if not Smooth Hound, Tope ........................................................................................................................ 36 Torsk .................................................................................................................................................. 37 common sense. Non-native species, tolerant of ambient Irish temperatures, have the potential to do irreversible Albacore, Bluefin Tuna, Turbot ........................................................................................................ 38 ecological damage if released into Irish freshwaters. The recent importation of live fish from the Continent, allegedly Whiting, Ballan Wrasse ................................................................................................................... 39 without the proper veterinary clearance and their release into the wild, is a reprehensible act of vandalism akin to the Cuckoo Wrasse ................................................................................................................................. 40 illicit movement