Belfast Lough

[aaronjunited]

Does anyone know who manages belfast lough, is there any fisheries or governing body that deals with fish in the lough?

[colin08]

I don't think so. Its not really a busy fishing area so doubt there would be a body employed to look after it.
Why any?
Like anywhere a fishing boat (trawler) will always need a license.

[aaronjunited]

I'm no trawler man, i dont want to reck the seas taking fish that shouldnt be removed.

I was just wondering where i can find out info on which fish are actually in the lough, its sadening to know it was hiving with them years ago and now its not, and why cant they do anything to bring the fish back.

[immunecfg]

Basically in the early 80's russian trawlers came to the lough and striped the place bear, the damage caused was tremendous, plus with the installation of the break water in bangor made it worse.

At one time the UK record for cod was in belfast lough, and from my knowledge it still holds the record for monk fish.

It is very very sad to hear what the place was like in the past to what it is now.

[jimbo49]

What species can still be caught in the lough?

[immunecfg]

I know there are whiting and dogs from Boats, or well thats going back about 10~15 years ago, wrasse from places around bangor, also some romours of hounds but i have yet to see a picture of one caught (Pics or it didnt happen) Some locations have been throwing up some decent size sea trout, mackeral and pollock and coaly's from the shore around rocky outcrops and off break waters.

There are fish to be caught but no where near the amount or size almost 30 years ago.

I suppose thats the way of things all the way around the Irish coast.

Another species is conger which can be caught from bangor and carrick.

hope this infor gives you some idea whats about.

[nicki d]

WHERES THE BEST MARKS FOR CONGER

[rab01]

Carrick Harbour and Bangor pier for Congers chum.

[Tom H]

Basically in the early 80's russian trawlers came to the lough and striped the place bear, the damage caused was tremendous, plus with the installation of the break water in bangor made it worse.

At one time the UK record for cod was in belfast lough, and from my knowledge it still holds the record for monk fish.

It is very very sad to hear what the place was like in the past to what it is now.

it was the Hake record and also the Anglerfish record that came from the lough.. Nothing to do with the Russian factory ships it was more to do with small local boats with there tangle nets that wiped out the rays and turbot. And the trawling that never seemd to stop along the east bank.

[alanmcc64]

Knowing where to fish along the shore still throws up decent size pollack and bull huss

[aaronjunited]

I know the lough holds whiting during winter and mackerel during the summer, also big conger can be taken in carrick harbour all year round.
I have never heard of bull huss or big pollack caught in this lough, on the carrick/belfast side of the lough anyway. Its a disgrace that these trawlers wer allowed to do this, think of what the tourism would have been like now if the lough still held all the fish mentioned.

Anyone else got anymore input for this subject.

Also is it possible that something could be done to bring fish back to the lough.
Thanks for the comments.