Press Release for immediate release: 20th July 2010

A proposal was made by the Waterford Estuary Fisherman’s Association to the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, to conduct a survey salmon fishery in Waterford estuary in 2010. The newly formed Inland Fisheries Ireland organisation in coordination with Estuary fishermen has developed a proposal to facilitate this survey.

The proposal has two primary objectives;

1. To determine genetically the current extent of Irish river of origin salmon captured in Waterford estuary and to also determine the presence, if any, of salmon from other countries in the estuary.
2. To capture salmon over an extended period in summer and autumn to determine river of origin by genetic analysis within the Barrow / Nore /Suir river complex to provide a qualitative assessment of salmon stock abundance on the river Barrow where no stock estimate is currently available. A stock quantitative abundance estimate is available for the Nore and Suir rivers based on rod catch.

Sampling of scales and fin clips will take place on five separate occasions at five locations in Waterford estuary between mid July and mid October, with all salmon released post survey. Officers of IFI l will supervise and provide scientific support to the project, while commercial fishermen will advise in relation to fishing areas and provide the boats necessary for the survey.

Salmon Management on the Barrow, Nore and Suir has raised many questions, especially since 2006 and the closure of the interceptory drift net fishery nationwide. In 2010 the Nore is open to commercial fishing and angling, while the Suir is open to angling on a catch and release basis only. However, the Barrow remains closed to all fishing for salmon and sea trout. It is expected that the results of this survey will provide information that can assist in better salmon management for these three great rivers, which together have approximately 21% of the salmon spawning grounds of Ireland.

For media enquiries please contact:

Suzanne Campion,
IFI Clonmel,
Clonmel,
Co. Tipperary.
Telephone : (052) 6180055 or (087) 2690183 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes to the Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is a Statutory Agency established on July 1st, 2010 by the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. The principal function of IFI is the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource.

Inland Fisheries Ireland subsumes the following agencies: Central Fisheries Board, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, Southern Regional Fisheries Board, South Western Regional Fisheries Board, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, Western Regional Fisheries Board, Northwestern Regional Fisheries Board and the Northern Regional Fisheries Board