Sea trout in the Avoca

Press Release 7th September 2011

A number of very sizeable sea trout have been caught and released in the Avoca river system which is great news for the river!

Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to remind anglers that the Avoca river remains closed for salmon and sea trout fishing for fish over 40cm. This means that anglers should not be targeting fish over 40cm and if one is caught it should be returned immediately. A byelaw was introduced in 2009 that enables anglers to fish for sea trout under 40cm on a catch and release basis. When fishing anglers should remember that there is a ban on the use of worms and single barbless hooks must be used.

The aim of these regulations is to conserve and protect salmon stocks which are currently below the conservation limit. It is hoped that these measures along with others that IFI have been carrying out over the last number of years will result in salmon returning to our rivers. A smolt rescue programme has been operational on the Avoca river since 2006 and is very successful with a record 5,000 smolts rescued in 2010. Spawning levels have increased in the catchment too which is good news for our Avoca salmon.

Whilst all of this is good news for the river, the fact remains that the salmon and sea trout stocks are very low and we ask anglers to respect these byelaws in order to give the salmon the best possible chance in this vulnerable river. Please be vigilant in helping us to protect this byelaw by reporting any illegal fishing to our lo-call number - 1890 34 74 24.

Ends

Media Enquiries

Suzanne Campion
Head of Business Development
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Anglesea Street,
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.