§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGHTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the fishing on Lough Erne is open to all His Majesty's subjects, the bed and soil of the lake being vested in the Crown; and whether, seeing that the salmon and trout fishing therein has seriously declined in recent years owing to want of preservation, illegal netting, 271 and destruction of spawning fish in the rivers flowing into the lake, he will consider the expediency of having the fishery laws in the Erne district enforced by the Royal Irish Constabulary, under 7 and 8 Vic, c. 108, s. 1.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The hon. Member is mistaken in assuming that the public have the right to fish in Lough Erne. The bed and soil are vested in the Crown and are under the management of His Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests; and I am informed that the fishing of the lough is also vested in the Crown, subject to certain ancient rights of fishery conveyed by Crown grants, and is under the like management. The duty of protecting the fisheries rests primarily with boards of conservators. The constabulary enforce the fishery laws so far as the public interests are concerned and their other and paramount duties permit.