THE Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) has rescued over 5,000 salmon smolts from Ireland’s most polluted river. The lower section of the Avoca River in Co Wicklow is classed by the Environment Protection Agency as Class D with a Q value of one (very poor water quality) due to the impact of 250 years of mining at Avoca.
The river is the recipient of 35 litres of acid mine drainage per second emanating from the site. Since mining ceased in 1982, the workings have been allowed to flood, resulting in the release of untreated mine water.
Despite this setback, salmon continue to survive. In 2002, an electrofishing survey and water-sampling programme by the ERFB showed that juvenile salmon were distributed at 74 per cent of sites sampled throughout the catchment.
Last month smolts were trapped upstream of the polluted stretch and transported downstream to enable them continue their journey out to sea. It is estimated these represent about 20 per cent of the smolt population in the river.
Reports by the University of Newcastle in 2003 and Unipure in 2007 proved beyond doubt that active treatment is the solution for the Avoca River. The Unipure report, funded by an Ireland/Wales Interreg Programme, also demonstrated through a series of trials that a full-scale treatment plant would cost €3.6 million with an annual operational cost of €500,000. Benefits of a clean river would raise the profile of Avoca significantly as a tourist destination. It is estimated that revenue of €750,000 per annum could be generated from recreational salmon angling alone, therefore bringing huge benefits not only to Avoca, but to the county of Wicklow.
With regard to the claim made in last week’s report by Martin McCracken, the Western Regional Fisheries Board would like to clarify that it supports catch-and-release throughout the region.
Neither Mr McCracken nor any other angler has ever been informed by board staff that catch-and-release was prohibited, as this is not the policy of the board in Galway.
Catch and release remains the personal choice of the angler once they are fishing legally with a salmon licence, and there is a surplus quota in that particular river. This is the case in Galway, and it was entirely Mr McCracken’s choice to kill the fish mentioned, not a rule laid down by the board.
While the high bank fishery in Galway does pose problems for anglers landing fish, it is entirely possible to release fish where they are landed.
A boat is available for hire on Derryclare Lake at Inagh Fishery in Recess, Co Galway for the first time in more than 20 years. Fisheries manager, Colin Folan will be available for boatman as it is a “dodgy lake” with plenty of rocks. For bookings, tel: 095-34706 (Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel) or inagh@iol.ie
Angling journalist and photographer, Mick Flanagan has a new website: midlandangling.com
Dibney River Conservation Trust will host the Irish International Fly Tying Fair this weekend (July 3rd-4th) in Killyleagh, Co Down. Now in its third year, the two-day event is expected to attract fly-tyers from Europe and Ireland.
Nonaim Lodge at Oughterard, Co Galway is now open with more bedrooms, an enlarged dining area and a heated drying and rod room. Tel: 085-7364830; e-mail: info@fishingcorrib.com
The first ever Berkley World Catfish Classic Competition will be staged in June 2011 on the River Ebro in Spain. During the three-day festival, 81 pairs of the world’s best anglers will attempt to claim a share of the £35,000 prize table. Spain won the host nation rights against competition from France and Italy. According to tournament organisers “the Ebro is famous for its big catfish and we are certain all anglers will enjoy competing in this beautiful setting.” The Mayor of Chiprana in the province of Zaragoza officially launched the event last week by entering the password to activate the tournament website, worldcatfishclassic.com
angling@irishtimes.com