THE Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) has made an urgent appeal for financial help to raise funds to complete the final stages of an exciting project, the film: Atlantic Salmon – Lost at Sea!
However, in order to raise the final 10 per cent of the budget, a further £30,000 is required. Supported by the Spey, Dee and Esks District Fishery Boards, AST has already contributed £12,000.
Producer Deirdre Brennan has engaged in making the film for six years in the rivers of North America, Europe, Iceland, Greenland and the Atlantic Ocean. It tells the story of the collapse of wild Atlantic salmon over the last 30 years.
The film records the urgent quest to try to solve the mystery of the salmon’s life at sea and to answer the question: “Why are salmon dying in greater numbers than ever before in their ocean environment and not returning to their native rivers?”
Mysterious world
It takes the viewer on a journey through the mysterious world of the king of fish, and highlights some of the important research, conservation and restoration work of AST and others in Atlantic salmon countries.
In addition, the film describers the ground-breaking research programme to track salmon on their migration to try to find out why and where they are dying at sea.
Brennan has embarked on a Kickstarter campaign to bring in funds to finish the project. Kickstarter is a crowd-funding platform and in its 10 years has raised over $1.6 billion for creative projects, including many documentary films.
All projects are vetted in advance. It is an all or nothing principle – if the goal is not reached, then no money changes hands. The campaign is for 30 days and will run from August 6th to September 5th.
AST appeals for support for this worthwhile venture. The film will be used at national, regional and local levels to raise money for salmon conservation.
“Please help us to finish the job. This is a story of hope and a dynamic way to increase public commitment to saving the iconic Atlantic salmon,” AST director, Tony Andrews said.
For more details see link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1121132260/atlantic-salmon-lost-at-sea. n Following a pollution discharge to the River Clodiagh, a tributary of the Tullamore River, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is investigating a major fish kill. Almost 3,700 fish have died over a five-kilometre stretch with the majority consisting of trout, along with salmon, lamprey, minnow and stoneloach.
A discharge of chemicals may have occurred from a specified location and a definite line of enquiry is underway. Water and sludge samples have been taken with a view to a possible prosecution.
IFI’s director, Amanda Mooney, said: “This discharge is a devastating blow to the Clodiagh. The quantities of fish present would indicate the river had recovered considerably in recent years from a previous eutrophication state, with excellent salmonid spawning and nursery habitat.” n Lough Melvin fished very well again last week with reports of Sonaghan caught from the deep water drifts off Maguire’s Island, Breffni and Roosky Point. Darren Maguire enjoyed a good day catching a 6lb 4oz trout and a grilse.
The Garrison & Melvin Anglers' Association held the third round of the Tony O'Brien Cup out from Garrison last Sunday. Local angler Seamus O'Dare took the individual prize with eight trout and Ronnie and Gordon Law won the pairs, also with eight fish. n Belmullet Sea Angling Club in conjunction with Broadhaven Bay Hotel held its 44th International Open Boat Competition last weekend. Anglers from Canada, England and throughout Ireland enjoyed two days of top-class angling from this premier venue. In total, 16 species were recorded. RESULTS: Greatest variety – 1, J Barrett (Killala); 2, S Sweeney (Belmullet); 3, J Mangan (Belmullet). Best out-of-state angler – C McEleavy (Belfast). Junior prize – D O'Donnell (Belmullet). Ladies prize – P McEleavy (Belfast).
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