MINISTER for Natural Resources Conor Lenihan has opened a 30-day public consultation process on the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for the 2011 season, The Irish Times reports.
Under the latest draft egulations, 51 rivers out of 141 will open for salmon fishing, with 30 classified as catch-and-release only. Sixty rivers will be closed, which is 20 fewer than the 2010 season, due to "an improvement in salmon stocks".
“Four previously closed, ie Castletown, Suir, Glenamoy and Eske, will open with an identified surplus for harvest,” said the Minister.
Some minor changes have also been recommended "to provide a more effective administration" of the tagging scheme for one-day salmon licences.