Permits issued under section 48 of the Fisheries Act (NI)

Section 48 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 as amended makes it an offence to remove material from a river bed without prior approval from the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure. The removal of watercourse substrate can degrade fisheries habitat, cause mortalities to the spawn and fry of salmonids (Atlantic salmon and brown trout) and disturb the natural behaviour of adult fish with resulting negative impacts.

A section 48 permit authorises the holder to carry out activities which would normally be illegal (i.e. the removal of river bed substrate) with operations restricted by such conditions as the Department considers appropriate.

Applications for Section 48 permits MUST be received 10 working days before the start of the operation.

• Application form for a permit issued under section 48 of the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966

or contact the Department on (028) 90515116 or email dcalangling@dcalni.gov.uk