Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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611. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the count on the salmon-run returns on the boxes in the Ballina fisheries in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8152/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the primary index of salmon abundance on the Moy is the comprehensive rod catch statistics returned annually. The refurbished weir in Ballina includes three fish counters: a LOGIE resistivity counter is installed in box 1 and two VAKI infra-red fish counters have been installed in boxes 2 & 3. These counters operated in the months from April to September 2014

The counters primarily provide very good indicative data on the timing (and to a lesser extent quantum) of salmon runs. The count on the salmon run returns on the boxes in the Ballina Fisheries in 2014 was 2056. This figure is the net upstream count representing the gross upstream count, less the gross downstream count.

During summer 2014 an additional LOGIE resistivity fish counter was installed in box 7 and, following testing and calibration, is expected to be operational during 2015. The boxes are numbered from the east or Ardnaree bank.