Angling Notes: Minister of State at the Department of Marine Pat the Cope Gallagher is about to set a wild-salmon commercial catch maximum of 139,900 fish, well above the maximum number of 97,000 recommended by marine scientists, according to Green Party marine spokesman Eamon Ryan TD.
Allowing an extra 42,000 fish to be caught could push the salmon into extinction on certain Irish rivers, he says.
For decades, governments have received scientific advice to cease indiscriminate drift netting and instead manage river systems on an individual catchment basis. "This advice has been ignored and instead the Government has set up a management system whereby fishermen are given a total allowable catch each year and tags which they apply to each fish," he says.
The Atlantic salmon is under threat for many reasons, including climate change, pollution and predation. Commercial driftnets along the southwest seaboard, however, account for the largest quota of our wild salmon. This catch is indiscriminate and makes no allowance for salmon bound for rivers on the south and east coasts. Here, conservation limits are below sustainable levels and in a state of crisis.
Recognising this crisis, the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission (NSC) issued a report in November last stating no more than 124,300 fish should be caught (97,000 by nets and some 27,300 by rod anglers). At a meeting of NSC last month, fisheries boards and fishing industry representatives voted for a larger quota for netsmen of 139,900 fish. This unsustainable catch level is likely to be approved by the Minister within the next few weeks.
"The Green Party is calling on those interested in saving the Atlantic salmon to call on the minister to outline ways of buying out the drift nets from 2006 onwards and, in the meantime, to adhere to scientific advice on maximum catch for this season," says Ryan.
• The permanent closure of the Usk drift-net fishery announced recently in the Welsh Assembly brings about the permanent cessation of drift-netting off Uskmouth and includes a suite of new bylaws which effectively terminates all remaining mixed-stock salmon net fisheries in Wales.
The announcement marks the end of a process that began in 1996 with the introduction of the Usk Drift Nets, Net Limitation Order (NLO). This order meant no new licences would be issued for a period of 10 years, thereby ensuring a gradual phasing out of netting at the mouth of the Usk River.
In 2000, the Wye and Usk Foundation and United Usk Fishermen's Association reached a financial settlement with the netsmen to buy out their licences for a season. Within the terms of the NLO, this effectively ended all legal drift netting in the Severn estuary.
The Welsh Environment Agency bylaw secures the deal for good and will ensure salmon saved can now successfully breed in the rivers Usk, Wye and Severn. Estimates suggest this action has already saved more than 1,000 salmon a year within the five-year time span.
Welcoming the announcement, Peter Gough, Environment Agency Wales, said: "This closure demonstrates the benefit of public-private partnerships and it is pleasing the improved protection afforded to salmon was facilitated by a negotiated agreement between netting and angling interests."
• A mild sunny day greeted anglers on opening day on the River Slaney, Co Wexford, last Thursday week. Low water levels (about 18 inches below normal) failed to deter the large contingent. Some had gathered from first light at Enniscorthy Bridge in the hope of catching the first salmon of the season.
However, it was noon before Frank Thornton of Enniscorthy & District Angling Association landed the first fish from the Ballinapark beat, just below Bunclody. The springer of 5.443kg (12lb) fell to a black and gold 7g rubber tail, and the second time for Thornton to land a salmon on opening day, according to fisheries inspector Josie Mahon.
In total, 14 were caught on opening day - two at Clohamon Bridge and the remainder at Strahart, Clobemon and Enniscorthy.
The Blackwater Lodge fishery in Co Waterford has recorded eight fish since opening day. However, with some good runs spotted and the weather warming up, prospects look good for the coming weeks, according to proprietor Ian Powell. Rods and accommodation are still available. To book, contact info@ireland-salmon-fishing-net.
On the Drowes River in Co Donegal, low water levels resulted in only two salmon for the week. Brian Carty landed one of 5.443kg (12lb) from the Eel Weir Pool on a duckfly imitation fly and John Ford recorded the best fish of the season so far, a beauty of 7.257kg (16lb) on a shrimp from Kelly's Ground.
The Moy system produced 11 salmon including three upstream of the weir in Ballina, on worm. On the East Mayo Anglers' Water, John McDonagh, Galway, had a 4.990kg (11lb) salmon at the Long Bank, and Jimmy Kilcoyne, Charlestown, one of 4.082kg (9lb) on a spinner. Cloongee Fishery; the outflow from Lough Cullin above the railway bridge; Pontoon Bridge and Lough Conn accounted for the remaining six.
Free fishing continues on the Ridge Pool until the first salmon is caught.
Around the fisheries
Annamoe Trout Fisheries, Co Wicklow: As water temperature begins to rise, fish are turning to the more traditional flies such as Iron Blue Duns, Wyckhams Fancy and Bloody Butchers.
Local angler Mick Francis had three rainbows averaging 2.495kg (5.5lb) and season ticket holder Tommy McDonnell caught four on wormfly. (Tel: 0404-45470.)
Maynooth Fisheries, Co Kildare: Sinking lines brought just rewards to Colin O'Sullivan with six fish, using egg flies and boobies, and Ben Heeley, a further seven on various coloured lures.
On the carp lake, Colin Flynn, Conor O'Regan and Sean Doogan notched up six notable mirrors over 9.072kg (20lb) and one common carp of 7.257kg (16lb). (Tel: 01-629 3202.)