ON THE eve of traditional attempts by anglers to catch the first wild salmon of the year, the Government has issued new restrictions on angling and draft net activity.
A total of 11 more salmon rivers are to be closed next year due to “worrying scientific analysis”, according to Minister of State with responsibility for Natural Resources Seán Power.
“Irish marine survival indices are at their lowest since records began in the 1980s,” Mr Power said yesterday. He said a total allowable catch will be permitted for 45 rivers next year.
However, he says improvements have been detected in stocks in the Glengarriff area in Co Cork, and in the rivers Nore in Waterford, Inney in Kerry and Crolly in Co Donegal.
A number of rivers open for angling on a “catch and release” basis will be closed next year, including Wexford’s Slaney, Kerry’s Carhan, Ferta and Behy, and the river Furnace near Screebe in Connemara.
Catch and release, where fish cannot be killed, is allowed on rivers which meet 65 per cent of conservation limits.
Only the Corrib and Ballysadare rivers in the west buck a trend where “indices are down”, Mr Power said.
Dr Paddy Gargan of the Central Fisheries Board said while it was too early to say whether the drift-net ban was having a long-term impact, smaller rivers still below conservation limits seemed to be showing improved runs.
New regulations and bylaws in effect from tomorrow reflect a change in management systems by river, rather than by district.
Limited draft netting in some estuaries includes an allowance for five days’ fishing in the month of July to allow for weather factors.
Distribution of tags to anglers by relevant regional fisheries boards will be in lots of three or four, subject to a maximum of 10 per licence-holder for the season, according to the regulations.