He also toured the Marble Arch Fish Hatchery which is owned by Erne and Melvin Enhancement Company (EMEC).
The Minister commented: "This visit has provided an opportunity to learn about the Erne and Melvin Enhancement Company's hatchery and experience first hand some of the processes and techniques used by the hatchery staff.
“To see the process of stocking a river with trout fry was particularly interesting given my Department’s role and commitment to maintaining and developing angling on Lough Erne and the wider fisheries infrastructure in the West."
The stocking was supervised by John Kane, DCAL's Senior Fisheries Officer for the South and West Areas and took place at Claddagh Bridge.
During his visit the Minister met Victor Chambers, Vice Chairperson of EMEC and a number of directors of the Erne and Melvin Enhancement Company. Also in attendance was the Chief Executive of Fermanagh District Council, Rodney Connor. Richard Turner, Hatchery Manager at the Marble Arch Hatchery provided a tour of the facility.
Notes to Editors:
In the mid 1990s local angling enthusiasts and Fermanagh District Council, with assistance from the Salmon Enhancement programme, formed the Erne and Melvin Enhancement Company (EMEC) to build a hatchery to stock Lough Erne (to which DCAL owns the fishing rights) with indigenous Lough Erne trout.
The relationship between DCAL and EMEC is of customer and service provider. DCAL provide the Lough Erne Fishery as part of the Public Angling Estate and are responsible for its maintenance, protection and strategic development. EMEC provide fry for stocking the fishery at a cost to the Department as needs dictate.
Media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 90 258902 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
