Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) says its teams are monitoring, trapping and sampling farmed fish encountered in rivers in Co Galway and liaising with fishery owners and anglers following an incident in Killary Harbour last week.

The agency says it is also monitoring for, and removing, any escaped fish intercepted at its research trapping facilities in the National Salmonid Index Catchment, River Erriff.

Identification of farmed fish is currently proving challenging as there are no clear markers to identify farmed fish from wild species, IFI says.

The State body for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources says it believes the escaped farmed salmon from Killary Harbour pose a significant risk to wild Atlantic salmon populations.

It’s understood that a “very significant number” of farmed salmon are now in the marine environment, and can travel up nearby rivers. It is possible that these fish may swim into neighbouring counties over time.

IFI is concerned that interbreeding with farmed salmon could compromise the genetic integrity of the local salmon population, which could impact their resilience in the long term.

Wild salmon are already under threat from water quality, habitat degradation, illegal fishing and climate change.

IFI adds that it has not been provided with the official total number of salmon that were in the impacted facility.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine manages the licensing of fish farms, and conditions attached to same.

Meanwhile, the Ballisodare River catchment in Co Sligo has reopened for angling on a catch-and-release basis following a major fish kill last month.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, a large number of wld Atlantic salmon were found dead in the lower Ballisodare River south of Sligo town in mid July.

Salmon of any size and sea trout over 40cm may be fished for on a catch-and-release basis only for the remainder of the season, up to 30 September.

All lakes on the system have also reopened for angling as of Thursday 22 August, and local regulations apply as normal.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan has signed a new conservation bye-law regarding the reopening.

IFI says it has been investigating the salmon mortalities at the watercourse, and will provide information on the causes of these deaths in due course.

Communities across the narrowest part of Lough Corrib are due to unite in a celebration of the lake’s environment for National Heritage Week this Sunday.

Corrib Beo, the environmental group hosting the event, has also announced that Jennifer Cunningham from Galway is its new project officer.

The “Hands Across the Corrib” event takes place at the Knockferry and Kilbeg shorelines of the lake on Sunday afternoon, weather permitting.

There will be a rib run between both piers, with music, craft stands, and a food truck at Knockferry pier.

Kilbeg Pier will exhibit the educational initiatives led by the environmental grouping Corrib Beo, alongside presentations from the Local Authorities Water Programme ( LAWPRO”, and various farming and angling groups.

The event is also expected to be a key gathering for the newly formed Corrib Catchment Partnership, a volunteer group dedicated to identifying, restoring, and protecting water quality in the Corrib through collaboration with local communities, schools, and stakeholders.

Corrib Beo has been running events all week for the National Heritage programme, and it includes a history of the Galway fishery on Friday afternoon at 3pm.

It is also hosting a heritage bus tour around lough Corrib on the theme of “medieval saints and scholars”, starting out at Claregalway friary, and taking in Cong and Annaghdown abbey, which takes place on Saturday August 24th from 8.30am.

Tickets for the heritage bus tour are 45 euro, and details on all of Corrib Beo’s events can be found here.

The “Hands Across the Corrib” event takes place on both Knockferry and Kilbeg piers on August 25th from 2pm to 5pm.

Galway city’s new bridge across the river Corrib has been shortlisted for a prestigious international engineering award.

Droichead an Dóchais or Hope Bridge, which runs parallel to the Salmon Weir bridge, opened as a pedestrian walkway in May 2023.

It is among eight projects in the running for the International Bridge Project of the Year award at the upcoming New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards in London.

Galway City Council says this is not its first recognition, as consulting engineers Arup were winners of the civil small/medium project category at the 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards, organised by the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland.

Droichead an Dóchais is the first new bridge to span the Corrib in over 30 years. It crosses three watercourses in all - the river Corrib, Persse’s Distillery river and Friar’s river.

It was designed in the shape of a salmon to reflect the culture and heritage of fishing in the salmon-rich river and is approximately 85 metres long.

The bridge is lightweight and robust, with transparent parapets, and is fully accessible for people with impaired mobility, with ramps on either side. A glazed oculus, incorporated into both approach spans, represents the eye of a salmon and offers views of the watercourses below.

Galway City Council says the shortlisting of Droichead an Dóchais “recognises the extensive work on the project of Galway City Council, consultant engineering firm AtkinsRéalis and principal contractor Jons Civil Engineering”.

The other bridges shortlisted for this award are in the United Arab Emirates, USA, Canada, India, France and China (two projects). The overall winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on July 18th.

The impact on a fishing community of the failure of a local vessel to return home is the theme of an outdoor theatre piece at this year’s Galway International Arts Festival.

An Fear Liath, written by Philip Doherty and adapted and directed by Fran Núnez, has its world premiere in Galway next week when it runs for three nights outdoors in the Claddagh basin.

The late night open air spectacle promises a plot that “walks between this world and the next”.

The one-hour performance is a collaboration between Irish language theatre company Fibín sa Taibhdhearc, Galician National Theatre/Centro Dramatico Galego of northern Spain and Dutch company Tryater.

Nunez is artistic director of the Galician National Theatre.

Tryater is known as Friesland's most versatile theatre company and the oldest company in the Netherlands.

Fibín, which has its origins in Connemara, has specialised in Irish language work and outdoor spectacles.

It has had a highly successful residency in Galway’s An Taibhdhearc theatre for the past three years.

An Fear Liath will take place in Irish at the Claddagh Quay, Galway, from July 25th to 27th at 10 p.m. The performances on July 26th and 27th will have English subtitles.

Booking is here

In a dramatic rescue operation, the Galway RNLI saved three individuals after their boat capsized off Salthill yesterday evening. The Irish Coast Guard swiftly dispatched the volunteer crew following reports of a small boat in distress off Blackrock in Salthill, with three people in the water. The alarm was raised by a vigilant individual on a nearby boat.

Helm Dave Badger, Aaron Connolly, Sean King, and James Rattigan quickly launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and made their way to the scene. Fortunately, sea conditions were favourable, with good visibility enabling the crew to promptly reach the location.

The stranded individuals, who had been in the water for approximately thirty minutes, were successfully rescued and brought safely onboard the lifeboat. They received immediate medical assessment and care before being transferred to shore. Volunteer shore crew assisted with first aid upon the lifeboat's return to the station. Subsequently, paramedics from the National Ambulance Service evaluated the casualties before transporting them to the hospital for further treatment.

The dedicated efforts of the lifeboat crew did not end there, as they ventured back out to sea to secure the capsized boat, towing it back to Galway Docks to prevent it from posing a hazard to others.

Reflecting on the operation, Galway RNLI Helm Dave Badger praised the swift action of a member of the public on another boat, whose alertness was crucial in initiating the rescue. Badger emphasised the significance of wearing lifejackets, which aided in keeping the individuals afloat and visible throughout the incident.

"Accidents can occur unexpectedly, and wearing a lifejacket buys you precious time until help arrives," Badger remarked, stressing the life-saving importance of correctly fitted and maintained lifejackets.

Galway RNLI lifeboat volunteer Olivia Byrne has been recognised for her exceptional service as a finalist for the prestigious Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Award. The award, which acknowledges the vital work of first responders and the significant role of women in the emergency services, honours individuals who exemplify compassion, bravery, leadership, and professionalism.

Olivia was selected as one of five finalists from a pool of candidates across Ireland. The award ceremony, hosted by the Irish Paramedicine Education and Research Network and the Fitzpatrick family, took place at the University of Limerick. The award pays homage to the legacy of Dara Fitzpatrick, an Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue pilot, by celebrating inspirational women working in the Irish pre-hospital community and emergency services.

Olivia Byrne, a nurse, midwife, and public health nurse, has also volunteered with the Galway Lifeboat crew for over two decades. Nominated for the award by the station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Swan, Olivia's dedication and contributions to the team have been invaluable. Over the years, she has been involved in numerous rescues and has brought her nursing skills to the search and rescue role, benefiting both the crew and those they rescue.

Speaking about her recognition, Olivia expressed her gratitude, saying, "It is a great privilege for me to be included in this group of highly trained women." She also commended the other finalists for their outstanding leadership in their respective emergency service specialties.

‘The other finalists for the award are outstanding leaders in their emergency service specialties and the worthy winner of the Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick Award 2024 was Pte Nicole Carroll who is a Defence Forces Combat Medical Technician. I was delighted to be a finalist and to share the experience of the award ceremony with an incredible group of women.’

Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard shortly before 4pm on Friday afternoon (10 May) following a call by a member of the public reporting four people on Hare Island cut off by the tide.

The lifeboat crew who responded to the call were David Badger, Olivia Byrne, Dave McGrath and James Corballis, the latter on his last call-out with Galway RNLI before leaving saltwater behind for the fresh lake water of Lough Derg.

Launching their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat within 10 minutes, the crew made their way from the lifeboat station to Hare Island where they carried out a full search of the island, without finding the four people reported stranded.

The crew then received confirmation from the coastguard that the four people had made it back to the mainland safely, which involved swimming the last stretch to the shore.

James Corballis, who was on his last shout with Galway RNLI on Friday 10 May before moving to Lough Derg RNLI | Credit: RNLI/Aoife Morrissy

Lifeboat helm David Badger said: “In the event that you find yourself cut off by an incoming tide on Hare Island or any other coastal walk, our advice is to stay put and stay high and dry and not to attempt to make it to shore. Call 112 or 999 and ask for the coastguard.

“Conditions today were good with flat calm water and good visibility, but things can change very quickly by the water. If you are heading out on the water or planning a walk by the sea, always take a means to call for help and check the tides before you set off. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them.

“There was a good outcome today and that is the main thing. And it was a fine afternoon for the last shout for our crew mate James who is leaving Galway RNLI and moving inland to join the Lough Derg RNLI crew. Hopefully his lasting memory of Galway will be in the warm sunshine to make up for the years of cold, rainy days and nights at sea.”

Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard on Monday afternoon (22 April) to rescue a walker on Hare Island who was cut off by the incoming tide.

The request to launch came shortly before 2pm and volunteer crew Dave Badger, James Rattigan, David Oliver and Olivia Byrne launched the inshore lifeboat and were on the water around 10 minutes later headed to Hare Island, on inner Galway Bay, which is accessible to walkers at low tide.

Conditions at sea were good with good visibility thanks to the current spell of fine weather.

When the crew reached Hare Island, they located the casualty who was safe and well. The crew brought the casualty on board the lifeboat and returned to the lifeboat station at the New Docks.

Lifeboat helm Dave Badger said: “It was a good outcome today. The casualty didn't require any further medical treatment once we returned to the lifeboat station.

“The casualty raised the alarm when they realised that they were cut off by the tide and were unable to get off the island, and that was the right thing to do. If you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Badger added: “Walking around coasts is a very safe activity most of the time. Our advice is to always take a means of calling for help and to check the weather and tides. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them.”

Over 34,000 homes and businesses are reported to have suffered power outages due to Storm Kathleen, as southerly to south-westerly gale force winds swept across the western seaboard.

In Galway, the sea breached the Salthill promenade, flooding the Toft carpark and the Seapoint area close to the Atlantaquaria.

Galway City Council crews were on standby, the Salthill promenade road was closed, and fears of further damage were allayed when the southerly winds veered south-west before high tide.

Ferries, flights and trains have all been disrupted, and status Orange weather warnings issued by Met Éireann remained in effect on Saturday evening in counties Kerry, Cork, Galway and Mayo.

ESB Networks said it expected further power outages, and crews were responding where safe to do so.

In Belfast, the Titanic Belfast centre was closed when the roof was damaged by high winds.

Belfast Harbour Police set up cordons around the building and visitors were escorted out via a side door.

Titanic Belfast said in a statement that it had taken the precautionary measure to close the building to the public for the remainder of the weekend.

Crews from the Aran Islands and Galway RNLI stations took part in a joint training exercise on inner Galway Bay this past Saturday (27 January).

The training was an opportunity for the crews from the two flanking stations to work together on a number of boat-handling and seamanship exercises to prepare for future joint search and rescue missions.

Brian Niland, helm with Galway RNLI who led the exercise for the Galway crew said: “We were delighted to welcome the Aran Islands RNLI crewm onboard the all-weather Severn class lifeboat David Kirkaldy, to Galway for a training exercise off Salthill.

“It was impressive to see the larger Aran Islands lifeboat and see how the two lifeboats can work side by side.

“The training was a great learning experience for both crews and will help us when we are requested to launch together, to help those in danger in the water. Our volunteer lifeboat crews spend many hours training so we can meet the dangers and challenges we face at sea.”

Galway RNLI crew on board the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Binny leaving Galway Port with the Aran Islands RNLI crew on board the all-weather Severn lifeboat David Kirkaldy | Credit: RNLI/Aoife Morrissy

Aran Islands RNLI coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin said: “Saturday’s training exercise was a good chance to meet the Galway crew and show what the lifeboat from each station is capable of.

“The type of lifeboat a station has depends on geographical features, the kind of rescues the station is involved in and the cover provided by neighbouring lifeboat stations.

“Our Severn class lifeboat is designed for the offshore long jobs we face in the toughest weather, while the Galway Atlantic class lifeboat is one of the fastest in the fleet and is ideal for rescues close to shore, near cliffs and rocks which may be inaccessible to our all-weather lifeboat. Working together we are able to carry out search and rescue throughout Galway Bay.

“Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, RNLI lifeboat crews are ready to answer the call to rescue. If you see someone in trouble at the coast call 112 or 999 and ask for the coastguard.”