GENETIC FINGERPRINTING of Coarse Fish in 2008

On 20th July 2006 the Minister for the Communications, Energy 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 School of
Biology and Environmental Science at University College Dublin and funded by the Central Fisheries Board, Swords, Co. Dublin, genetic fingerprinting of cyprinids commenced in 2007. The ISFC requested 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) were forwarded with each claim form for identification.

Analysis commenced in late 2007 and the technique has been applied to classify about 40% of claims. The remainder will be processed in 2008 together with any new claims. Results show clear differentiation and identifications have been made using a combination of these results and all photographic evidence received. The outcome of some individual assignments has been very clear and the feasibility study will continue in 2008. Several fish were not as claimed which demonstrated the scope of the technique. The Committee has decided to ratify all fish analyzed to date.

This ongoing study presents the possibility of positively identifying rudd/roach hybrids and the Committee invites anglers to submit claims for possible rudd/roach specimens exceeding 1 kg in weight.

The Committee will have the final decision in relation to the application of the genetic analysis/technique or the ratification of any claim.