The first salmon of the 2024 angling season has been caught in Co Donegal, as Angling Ireland reports.

Shortly after 1pm on New Year’s Day (Monday 1 January), James Kenny caught and released an 8lb specimen in Watt’s Pool on the Leannan River north of Letterkenny.

Kenny’s record came just hours into the opening of 81 rivers for salmon and sea trout angling in Ireland.

Angling Ireland has more on the story HERE.

Legislation approved by Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan will allow for 81 rivers to be accessible for salmon and sea trout angling next year.

Of the 81, 42 will be open, with a further 39 open to “catch and release” angling, he said, noting the “general improvements in stocks from 2023 have been maintained for 2024”.

However, 66 rivers are to be closed as they have no sustainable surplus available, a point highlighted recently by an Afloat reader in County Cork.

The legislation is based on management advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for over 140 genetically individual wild salmon stocks in Ireland, which was based on individual scientific assessments.

The minister said the assessments are carried out every year by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) – an all-island independent scientific group comprising experts from a range of bodies.

“Many of our rivers are not at a sufficiently high-water quality level to support sustainable stocks, often caused by agricultural activities, and to a lesser extent, insufficient treatment of waste water,” he said.

“ This year’s advice was also made available as part of a statutory public consultation process during which written submissions from stakeholders (including the recreational and commercial fishing and the environmental sectors) were sought on the draft regulations,” he said.

“Ireland has long been internationally recognised for embedding the conservation imperative as a vital component of our management of the precious salmon resource,” Ryan said.

“ While the policy has served us well for more than a decade, I intend, as part of a broader inland fisheries policy review, to set out options for improvement, with an even greater focus on conservation, in our management regime and for modernising licensing requirements, to ensure access to the resource where its conservation and biodiversity needs are met,” he said.

The list of rivers is downloadable below as a PDF file 

Writing to Afloat.ie, reader Joan Twomey bemoans the lack of attention on the sorry status of salmon on the upper River Lee

It is heartening to read about so much EU and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) collaboration regarding Greenland salmon (Afloat.ie, 2 November 2023).

I wonder if they could do something about the environmental catastrophic actions of our own ESB semi-State body over the last 50-plus years on our Irish salmon on the upper Lee River catchment area.

Salmon are now practically extinct in this area — and in Lough Allua, the Bealaphadeen Stream and surrounding streams and rivers. Nothing is being said about this and very little is being done.

The number of salmon getting past the dams is dismal, if the real numbers were ever revealed — from being able to catch salmon in your hands there were so many, to locals not seeing a single salmon in decades.

Yours sincerely,
Joan Twomey
Ballingeary, Co Cork

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured convictions against two men for an illegal netting incident in which three Atlantic salmon died.

The case was heard at Ennis District Court on Friday 27 October.

Tom Corry and Flan Considine, both from Clarecastle in Co Clare, were observed by IFI fisheries officers setting four illegal salmon nets across the River Fergus in Ennis on the night of 9 June this year.

IFI officers managed to release three salmon alive to the water, but three salmon were dead.

The court heard how, when apprehended, Corry and Considine were in possession of an illegally caught salmon. When IFI officers subsequently retrieved the nets that were set in the river, another five salmon were caught there.

Corry was fined €200 and Considine was fined €100. Both were ordered to pay costs of €615 each in relation to the offence.

During the investigation, IFI officers also seized a boat which was forfeited as a result of the conviction.

Commenting after the court verdict, David McInerney, Shannon River Basin District director at IFI said: “The River Fergus is closed to salmon fishing. Numbers in the river are significantly below levels required to sustain a healthy natural population.

“Illegal fishing is a serious environmental crime which has the capacity to threaten vulnerable salmon stocks.

“Any illegal fishing puts further pressure on a very important and iconic wild Irish fish. In 1971, a total of 1.2 million wild salmon returned to Ireland. Last year, that number was just 171,697 — representing a fall of 86 per cent.”

IFI encourages the public to report illegal fishing or angling incidents or those relating to water pollution, habitat destruction or fish kills to its 24/7 confidential phone number at 0818 34 74 24.

Loughs Agency has made the decision to retain salmon carcass tag numbers for angling licence holders for the 2024 season in line with the policy followed in the previous three years at a maximum of one blue tag (1st March to 31st May) and two black tags (1st June to 31st October).

Based on the information collected in 2023, a continual fall in salmon numbers has been recorded year on year, and consequently, the previously adopted precautionary approach needs to be maintained.

The principal objective of this measure is to carefully manage salmon stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford systems due to concern from within the Agency over the conservation levels of the species.

Loughs Agency has undertaken a review of legislation and has come to the following conclusion: “It is the view of some stakeholders that the Agency should manage carcass tags on a catchment-by-catchment basis. The use of real-time figures can be beneficial in informing decision-making on the number of tags to be distributed per year, and how many tags can be given out for angling in each catchment.”

This viewpoint is to be considered in regulatory changes once actions from the review can be implemented.

In the majority of rivers throughout Northern Ireland and in many locations globally, catch and release is now mandatory for salmon angling due to the pressures on sustainable populations. In these areas, no carcass tags are issued, and anglers are forbidden from retaining any fish. It is encouraging that most anglers in the Foyle and Carlingford areas are aware of these pressures, and now voluntarily practice catch and release.

Loughs Agency also recognises the value of anglers on the rivers and their contributions towards sustainability. Considering this, the Agency has agreed a compromise while still fulfilling obligations under the Habitats Directive. Salmon are a selection feature of Foyle Rivers that have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation.

In recent years this has led to the suspension of commercial salmon netting, while waters under the jurisdiction of Loughs Agency have subsequently been declared as catch and release only.

Loughs Agency is continuously working to refine estimates of salmon stocks in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has taken part in a tagging project for salmon that tracks their epic sea swim from Greenland to Europe.

IFI researcher Glen Wightman represented the agency in an EU-funded programme in the east Greenland settlement of Kuummiut, tagging salmon as they returned to their European rivers of origin.

Wrightman collaborated with scientists from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) to investigate the feeding and return migratory behaviour of young Atlantic salmon as they left the Arctic Sea.

Dr William Roche, senior research officer at IFI said: “This study comprises novel research into a fish species that’s in worrying decline. It’s being conducted because the marine phase of a salmon’s life is where knowledge of its survival is limited.

“We are making use of the strong homing trait of salmon. The aim is to fill a data gap because detailed information about salmon behaviour and migration routes in the ocean is scarce.

Panoramic view of Kuummiut settlement in south-eastern Greenland, the base location for the salmon-tagging project | Credit: Glen Wightman/IFI

“It is hoped that the scientific information gleaned will provide further clues into the complex question of poor survival of salmon at sea.

“We are seeking more data on the return journeys these salmon undertake, and the numbers that actually make it back to the rivers where they are from.”

Sample salmon were implanted with a tracking device during this pilot phase of the study and monitored rivers in Europe will be checked for returns of these particular fish.

The new programme is focused on capturing live pre-adult salmon in their feeding areas on the east coast of Greenland.

Led by DTU’s Professor Kim Aarestrup, Dr Niels Jepsen, and IFI’s Glen Wightman, it is being carried out under the Smoltrack project, coordinated by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation.

A newly published report by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) reveals a record percentage of wild salmon were placed back in the water after being hooked by fishermen/women in 2022.

And IFI’s Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics Report 2022 shows that five rivers in four counties accounted for more than half of all salmon caught in 2022.

Last year, anglers in Ireland released back 54 per cent of their wild salmon catch compared to 52 per cent in 2021 and 51 per cent in 2020.

The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics Report 2022 outlines the total number of fish caught by all methods (commercial and angling, including catch and release) was 26,715 salmon and 2,082 sea trout.

This is a reduction of 14 per cent on the total salmon catch recorded in 2021 (31,148) but an increase of 30pc of the total sea trout catch recorded that year (1,595).

The report highlights that 53 per cent of all salmon caught last year were taken on just five rivers across four counties: the River Moy in Co Mayo (18%), the River Blackwater (Lismore) in Co Cork (16.1%), the River Laune in Co Kerry (7.3%), the River Corrib in Co Galway (5.9%) and the Lower River Lee in Co Cork (5.4%).

In other notable statistics from the 2022 report, anglers from 42 different countries held salmon rod licences in Ireland in 2022.

Most of these licences were sold to residents of the Republic of Ireland (66.5%), followed by Northern Ireland (11%) and Great Britain (6.6%). Hundreds of anglers from France, Germany and the United States also bought salmon licences in 2022 during trips here.

Commercial fishers caught 15 per cent of the salmon catch in 2022, compared to 21 per cent in 2021 and recreational anglers caught 85 per cent in 2022 compared to 79 per cent in 2021.

A total of 17,318 salmon licences were bought by fishermen and women in 2022 — up some 11 per cent on the corresponding figure for 2021.

Barry Fox, head of operations at IFI said: “Catch-and-release of salmonids in Irelands rivers and lakes is becoming the norm.

“It is very encouraging to see the year-on-year increase in the catch-and-release of salmon. This method supports the angling community to sustainably fish, and conserves our salmon stocks.

“Wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout continue to face numerous risks, including climate change, water pollution and illegal fishing.

“I commend all our stakeholders who participate in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme, which limits the number of fish that can be retained, and helps ensure its continued success.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has opened the final draw of 2023 for anglers who wish to catch and keep wild salmon and sea trout greater than 40cm from the Lower River Lee in Cork this year.

A further 45 brown tags are being allocated on Monday 24 July, following the first lottery for 45 tags in January, the second for 40 tags in March and the third for 45 tags in May. A total of 180 brown tags are being made available for the season via this series of online lotteries.

The pool system allocates brown tags to anglers who are successful in the lottery system. The tags must be placed on harvested fish along with a blue tag as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.

These essential identification rules for salmon angling are in force until the season closes on 30 September 2023.

Commenting on the requirements, Sean Long, director of the Southwest River Basin District at IFI said: “Brown tag regulations for salmon and sea trout are required on the Lower River Lee in Cork to conserve stocks and avoid accidental over-harvesting.

“Where there is a modest harvestable surplus with a risk of over exploitation, this brown gill tag system is introduced to closely monitor the angling quotas.

“The numbers of wild Atlantic salmon returning to our rivers is declining and the risk of over-fishing puts stocks in further jeopardy. Conservation measures such as brown tags are necessary and very effective.”

Three quarters of the available 180 tags have been issued to anglers with a valid 2023 rod licence. Any anglers that are interested in entering the final draw are being asked to apply before the closing date of 5pm on Thursday 20 July.

Anglers with a 2023 rod licence who are not allocated a brown tag are only permitted to fish for salmon and sea trout greater than 40cm on a catch-and-release basis on the Lower River Lee, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody.

Three men have been fined in relation to the illegal capture of 27 salmon and the use of 861 metres of illegal nets off the coast of Mayo.

Patrick O’Donnell, Milan Funket, and Marek Radomsky were observed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) officers setting drift nets from a boat, skippered by O’Donnell, which were later retrieved at Porturlin, North Mayo.

O’Donnell, Funket and Radomsky appeared before Belmullet District Court on Wednesday 14 June, charged with the offences.

The court was told that O’Donnell was the “ringleader” in the operation. He was convicted and fined a total of €3,000 for breaches of fisheries legislation, a further €1,000 in expenses to IFI and €1,845 in costs to IFI.

Funket was fined €750 for the possession of a net and Radomsky was fined €1,000 for the possession of illegally captured salmon.

Judge Fiona Lydon heard evidence from Inspector Lonan O’Farrell of IFI, that on 17 June 2022 he observed the three men setting a drift net from the boat, the Cailin Ban.

The net was later retrieved and placed in the boat, following which the Cailin Ban headed for Porturlin pier.

On its arrival at the pier a crew member disembarked, and the illegally caught salmon were put into a van. IFI officers intercepted the van at the pier, cautioned and questioned the driver, and seized the 27 salmon.

However, despite efforts by IFI fisheries officers to speak to the crew, the boat returned to sea and three bags were seen thrown overboard.

The Cailin Ban re-entered Porturlin pier where IFI officers boarded the boat and cautioned the two men on board. IFI personnel later retrieved the bags with the illegal drift nets that had been discarded at sea.

Francis O’Donnell, chief executive of IFI said: “The scale of this illegal salmon netting at sea was at a commercial level, and posed a significant threat to our wild Atlantic salmon stocks. It is a serious environmental crime, and such crimes will not be tolerated by IFI.”

Mary Walsh, IFI’s director of the Western River Basin District in Ballina added: “I commend the coordinated response of our dedicated teams. There were many factors contributing to the success of this operation, including intelligence, leadership, and planning, as well as the availability and use of specialised equipment.”

A Sligo angler has been convicted of a breach of fisheries legislation for illegal salmon angling.

Mark Cawley, with an address in Sligo town, was observed in possession of an untagged salmon at Rockwood Parade on the Garavogue River in Sligo town.

The offence took place on 4 July 2022 and an Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) officer gave evidence in court.

Cawley was convicted at Sligo District Court on Tuesday 6 June. He was fined €250 for breach of Section 182 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959 — possession of salmon unlawfully captured.

He was ordered to pay costs to IFI of €675 and €106.66 in expenses.

Mary Walsh, director of the Western River Basin District said: “The Garavogue River is open to catch-and-release fishing only. Atlantic salmon stocks are in decline and they need to be protected.

“It is critical for all stakeholders to strictly abide by tagging regulations to safeguard the future of these valuable salmon fisheries.

“IFI actively pursue those who fish illegally. I commend the ongoing surveillance operations carried out by our fisheries protection officers in the district, which led to this conviction.”