Written answers
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Inland Fisheries
9:00 pm
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to studies carried out in rivers here in recent years by him or State agencies with a view to ascertaining the numbers of salmon in the rivers; if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14141/11]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The performance of some 141 salmon rivers is assessed on an annual basis by the Salmon Standing Scientific Committee (SSC). This information is published annually. The reports for the years 2005 to 2009 are available on the Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie/natural. The report on the performance of the 2010 fishery will be published shortly and will be made available to download from the Department's website.
The scientists have provided advice in respect of each river indicating the status of stocks. Inland Fisheries Ireland, based on the scientific advice, has recommended the management approach to be adopted in each river. In summary, the position for 2011, compared to the previous 5 years, is as follows:
| 2011 | 2010 | 2009* | 2008* | 2007* | 2006* | |
| Total No. of Rivers | 141 | 141 | 143 | 153 | 153 | 153 |
| No. of Rivers Opened | 52 | 50 | 48 | 56 | 43 | 153 |
| No. of Rivers on Catch and Release | 29 | 11 | 13 | 21 | 7 | 0 |
| No. of Rivers Closed | 60 | 80 | 82 | 76 | 103 | 0 |
| Total allowable catch for all rivers | 91,338 | 85,251 | 78,792 | 81,766 | 64,011 | 91,367 |
| Commercial Catch* | ** | 14,154*** | 6,757 | 8,903 | 8,843 | 86,200 |
| Angling Catch* | ** | 22,336*** | 17,521 | 22,215 | 19,430 | 22,485 |
Source: Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics (published by CFB (now Inland Fisheries Ireland)). ** The share of the TAC will be allocated between Commercial and Recreational fishermen by the Chief Executive Officer of IFI in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for the 2011 season. *** While generally there appeared to be improved runs in some rivers (e.g. Corrib and Moy) in 2010, there were still some rivers which did not meet conservation limits. Initial indications from monitored rivers, such as the Marine Institute's salmon research facility in Newport, County Mayo, suggest that marine survival is still low.
The number of rivers open for fishing in 2011 is 52; two more than in 2010. Twenty-nine rivers are open for catch and release, 18 more than 2010, and 60 rivers are closed as they have no surplus of fish available for harvest in them. This is 20 less than in 2010.
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