There can be no doubt that the unprecedented decision to ban all commercial fishing on Lough Neagh for the next three months represents a serious development which was not taken lightly by the relevant authorities.
As we report today, it is understood that the intervention, which does not impact on the eel fishing season, is designed to increase regulation of the wider industry and to tackle poachers and those who use illegal nets.
The Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative Society consulted widely before introducing the measure, which comes into force on March 1 and is due to run until May 31.
It must be hoped that it achieves its objectives swiftly, and that all normal and legitimate fishing activities can return to Ireland's largest lake, which has shores on five different counties, as quickly as possible.
