ANGLING NOTES:AN INTERNATIONAL scientific mission to investigate mortality of salmon at sea got under way from Killlybegs, Co Donegal, last month on board the Marine Institute research vessel RV Celtic Explorer, writes Derek Richards.
The project, Salsea-Merge, will investigate the migration and distribution of salmon in the northeast Atlantic. It will involve three marine surveys during 2008 and 2009, which will be conducted by Irish, Faroese and Norwegian research vessels and will use DNA technology instead of conventional salmon tags.
Ireland has played a big role in the planning of this public-private partnership programme that will follow juvenile salmon from southern Europe to the Barents Sea. Its objective is to map the migration and distribution of salmon stocks using genetic technology. This innovation has already facilitated the mapping of all major salmon stocks in Europe and can identify individual fish caught at sea by analysing their genetic code, which can then be matched back to their region or river of origin.
In addition to Salsea-Merge, a parallel programme will take place with Canadian and US involvement in August and the two surveys will collate their findings at a later date.
The €5.5 million project is funded by the EU with significant contributions from a consortium of interested parties, including the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (Nasco) and the Total Foundation.
"An increasing proportion of salmon are dying at sea," says Dr Ken Whelan, chairman of Nasco's International Atlantic Salmon Research Board. "In some southern rivers of the north Atlantic, salmon face extinction and no one fully understands why. There are many theories but as yet no sound research base on which rational action can be taken. That is what Salsea-Merge is all about, to provide answers." See www.salmonatsea.com.
• The Welsh Environment Agency is inviting responses to its proposed measures to protect salmon and sea-trout stocks. The formal consultation on the new bylaws include proposals to maintain existing measures aimed at protecting spring salmon for a further 10 years; to ban the sale of rod-caught salmon and sea trout in England and Wales; and to introduce carcass tagging and associated log books for caught salmon and sea trout.
• The second annual Game and Country Fair will take place at Birr Castle in Co Offaly on August 30th and 31st. Announcing details at a reception last week, the organisers said this year's event will include a host of new attractions, including an all-Ireland game fair championships in fly-casting.
The angling section will take place on Birr Castle's picturesque lake and it will be co-ordinated by angling director Philip Maher.
As well as having an outstanding range of tackle stands in Anglers' Row, Maher has put together an imaginative programme of demonstrations, coaching and tuition. For further details, see www.irishgameandcountryfair.com or tel: 01-8348279.
• Castlebar Anglers' Association will host the Douglas Hyde Cup and Conn/Cullin Cup competition on Lough Conn on Sunday, June 29th. The competition is open to non-anglers, beginners and juniors and all legal methods of angling are permitted. To confirm entry, contact Eamonn Miliffe, Rathbawn Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo.