The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) is anxious to remind all anglers in the districts of Dundalk, Drogheda, Dublin and Wexford that under new salmon- and sea-trout regulations, catch and release is mandatory from September 1st until the end of the fishing season.
Further restrictions call for a ban on worms and the use of single barbless hooks. Anglers are also required to record all fish caught and released in supplied logbook and retain one tag. Logbooks must be returned by October 19th - failure to do so could result in a fine of up to €635.
Mandatory catch and release is part of a series of new regulations aimed at conserving Irish salmon stocks. Within the eastern region stocks are at extremely low levels. Take, for example, the River Liffey. In 1988 the rod catch reached an all-time high of 800, last year this figure dropped dramatically to 38.
Similarly, the River Slaney recorded 1,583 salmon in the early 1980s, but this plummeted to only 311 last year. Collectively, the board's catch and release figure of 6.4 per cent in 2005 is below the national average of 12 per cent and the board hopes these new regulations will increase this figure greatly.
As an incentive to encourage catch and release, the ERFB invites anglers to send in photos of fish caught under the scheme in the eastern region. The best photo or series of photos will be posted on their website www.fishingireland.net and will receive a prize of a quality fly rod and reel.
It is important to learn the correct steps required to return a fish and in a manner that allows for minimal harm. There are five steps: First, using the correct tackle and equipment; second, playing the fish; third, landing the fish - keep the salmon in water at all times even when taking photographs; fourth, removing the hook; fifth, releasing and reviving the fish. Contact info@erfb.ie.
Patrick Doherty, acting chief executive officer of ERFB, said: "The most significant contribution an angler can make is to practise the correct method of catch and release. I hope the new regulations help to improve our salmon stocks which are at unsustainable levels in most of the eastern region."
The Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB) considers the installation of the rockramp at the Lacken Weir on the River Nore in Kilkenny to be a high-risk strategy because of the conical shape of the weir.
"Weirs that are straight across a river are much easier to adapt with rockramps. The coneshape weir will present difficulties for fish that miss the entrance to the ramp and attempt to jump the weir or the sides of the rockramp," the board contends.
The board urges that manpower, materials and equipment are made available for a commissioning period of one year from the end of construction to allow for any adjustments to the rockramp or weir should fish be unable to pass in cases of different flows or possible large runs of salmon.Contact Brian Sheerin at 087-2845857.
The season at Galway Weir so far has been little short of spectacular with the best salmon catch in 10 years, according to fisheries inspector Kevin Crowley. Last week, 40 salmon were landed, a great catch for the middle of August when the run begins to taper off, he said.
With water temperatures dropping and the onset of rain, angling has improved greatly on Lough Inagh in Recess, Co Galway. Fresh grilse and sea trout are moving up the system to the lake, according to Colin Folan.
Stephano Mariani from Italy caught eight sea trout on a size 12 black Klinkhammer for a morning session on the Trout Pool and, for good measure, a 2.3kg salmon from Derryclare Butts on an Allys pattern. In all, 51 sea trout and 29 brown trout were recorded for the week. Contact Colin at 086-8679459 or inagh@iol.ie
The sixth annual inter-bank boat competition took place last Saturday week at Clifden, Co Galway. Under difficult conditions, the AIB team of Brian Cogan, Bryan Cooper, Jerry O'Connor and David Keegan emerged victorious with 10 species. Cecil Baron won the individual prize of a weekend for two at the Station House Hotel in Clifden, plus a day's fishing aboard John Brittain's boat Blue Water.
The Loughs Agency, aided by the National Angling Guides Association, will be delivering a two-day introduction to angling for juniors this weekend at Carlingford, Co Down. Contact lionel.knobbs@loughs.agency.org.
In a separate development, following reports from anglers indicating the use of shrimp and prawn, the agency reminds anglers that these baits are illegal within the Foyle and Carlingford catchments.