Madam, - I welcome the thought-provoking article on the serious collapse of salmon stocks on the Barrow ( May 9th).
This once great salmon river is now infamous for being in "terminal decline due to over-fishing, pollution and an unexplained increase in mortality rates in salmon".
Given the evidence from the Standing Scientific Committee to the National Salmon Commission of a continuing sharp decline in salmon numbers and a recommendation to end driftnetting, it is regrettable that the scientific advice is not being followed.
Poor salmon stocks on the Barrow are a tragic reminder that driftnetting, water pollution, climate change and poor inland river management, coupled with Government inertia, have all contributed to the decline of the king of fish.
Last month I stood on the Barrow Track at Clashganny lock and watched, in anticipation and delight, the release of 8,000 salmon smolts into the Barrow. It was a moving spectacle.
Those of us who were there hoped that many of these tiny smolts would find their way to the North Atlantic, get fat on capelin and sandeels and return fit and healthy to the Barrow.
It is disheartening to learn that less than 1 or 2 per cent will find their way back to this stretch of river to spawn.
Ireland is the last country in the North Atlantic to allow driftnetting for wild salmon on the open seas.
The situation is now so critical that salmon may soon become extinct on this once great river.
The last returning fish may be caught in invisible walls of monofilament netting, six miles out at sea.
The Government has a responsibility to the people of Ireland not to condemn this most beautiful creature to extinction. The solution is simple.
Ban driftnetting, compensate the commercial fishermen for loss of income and put in place tough measures to protect our rivers from pollution and mismanagement. - Yours etc,
Cllr MARY WHITE,
Deputy Leader,
Green Party/Comhaontas Glas,
Borris,
Co Carlow.