Genetic Fingerprinting of Coarse Fish in 2007

On 20th July 2006 the Minister for the Communications, Marine and Natural Resources introduced a new bye law titled ‘CONSERVATION OF AND PROHIBITION ON SALE OF COARSE FISH BYE-LAW NO. 806, 2006’ which provides for the following conservation measures:

  • A bag limit of 4 coarse fish in any one day.
  • Prohibits the killing of any coarse fish greater than 25 cm in length.
  • Prohibits the sale of any coarse fish in Ireland (excluding NI), this provision will not apply to fishing tackle dealers and fish bait suppliers who have been granted an exemption from their respective Regional Fisheries Board.
This bye-law means that the ISFC cannot accept bodies of any coarse fish (dace, roach, rudd or any hybrids >25cm) from anglers for the purposes of claiming a specimen. Bodies were required to positively identify to species or hybrid level because of the similarity of their external features.

For many years the Committee has recognized that genetic fingerprinting of cyprinids was required for consistent identification of fish, to enable fish to be returned alive to the water and, importantly, to allow anglers to claim specimen cyprinids.

Arising from ongoing research into the dynamics of selected cyprinid species in selected Irish lakes, being carried out by researchers in the Zoology Department at University College Dublin and funded by the Central Fisheries Board, Swords, Co. Dublin, genetic fingerprinting of cyprinids will be undertaken in 2007.

It has been agreed by the Zoology Dept and the ISFC that this project will be extended to address the specimen cyprinid identification issue. The ISFC requests that, as part of the feasibility study commencing in 2007, anglers who catch specimens of these species or hybrids would take a small sample of scales (5 to 10 scales) from the fish and place them in a dry envelope (not in a plastic bag or tin foil).

This sample, together with good quality colour photographs showing the entire fish on its side and fins well displayed, the dorsal and the anal fins (fully splayed), with additional close up photographs of the head (side on) should be forwarded with the claim form for identification.

It is hoped that positive identifications will emerge from this feasibility study. However, the Committee will have the final decision in relation to the application of the genetic analysis/technique or the ratification of any claim.

Irish Record Fish Committee

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