Inland Fisheries

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is responsible, under the provisions of the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 as amended (the Fisheries Act), for the salmon and inland fisheries of Northern Ireland.  DCAL is not responsible for the Foyle and Carlingford catchments, which are the responsibility of the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, although the Department retains overall policy responsibility for salmon, eels and certain conservation and development responsibilities in the Loughs Agency area.

The Department is also responsible for the Fisheries Conservancy Board (FCB), a non-Departmental Public Body established under the Fisheries Act with responsibility for the conservation and protection of fisheries in Northern Ireland.

Public Angling Estate

The Department has the power under the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 to acquire and improve facilities for angling. This has been acheived through the provision of a Public Angling Estate . The total number of fisheries available to the public is 64.

Advisory Work

Departmental Fisheries Officers routinely provide advice and guidance on matters relating to the conservation, protection, development and improvement of salmon and inland fisheries to angling clubs, fishery owners, and a range of other water users and interested parties.