by Eamonn Mac Dermott, Inishowen Independent
A GANG of poachers on the Crana River threatened a
water keeper this week that if they were prosecuted
they would ‘poison the river.’
The problem of poaching and intimidation along the
Crana River has grown dramatically worse in recent
times.
Tony Morrison of the Buncrana Angling Centre said
that a gang of about 15 young people has been
responsible for a deteriorating situation along the
river.
He said: “We have been aware of this situation for
some time now but it has been getting worse. We have
confiscated about 25 to 30 nets this year.
“We have salmon in the freezer and are waiting for
tags so we can give them to local charities.”
He added: “This gang are going about poaching salmon
and are even selling them around the doors locally.
“As well as poaching they are engaging in
anti-social activity such as throwing stones and
bottles at anglers fishing along the river.
“They have also tried to intimidate anglers and one
member has had a bag of fish heads hung on his door
in a clear attempt to intimidate him.
“Then this week one of our water keepers was
surrounded by a gang of around 15 of these young
people who told him that if they were prosecuted
they would redouble their efforts or else poison the
river.”
Mr Morrison said that he was intending to meet with
local Gardaí to see what could be done about the
increasing problems along the river.
He added: “These young people are destroying the
river and more than that they are destroying
Buncrana’s reputation.”
One man who contacted the Inishowen Independent said
that he believed that many of these young people
were not even interested in the salmon but it is
‘the thrill of the chase’ that attracted them.
There have been reports of salmon being left to rot
in the fields after being poached from the river.
The gang is believed to be made up mostly of local
youths from the Buncrana area.
The man said: “What these youths don’t know is that
they are causing serious damage to the salmon.
“If these salmon don’t get back up to the top of the
river to spawn within four years the salmon will be
extinct. I know people are saying that the river has
always been poached but not to this extent.” |
