Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

247. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider providing an extension by way of a by-law to address the fact a fishers' group (details supplied) has had its dates significantly restricted by the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout By-Law No. 1018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16930/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since 2007, salmon stocks have been individually annually assessed in selected Irish rivers. Knowing the stock levels for each river, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) - the independent statutory body tasked with the protection, management and conservation of the Inland Fisheries resource in Ireland - can advise on the number of fish that might be sustainably harvested, without impacting the future stability of the population. Atlantic salmon conservation work at IFI is supported by independent scientific advice provided by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS).

Annual TEGOS catch advice for the Owenea and Owentocker rivers, which drain to the Loughros estuary, West Donegal, has provided for and necessitated a range of proactive conservation management measures over recent years to safeguard and rebuild salmon spawning stocks at a time of historically low marine salmon survival, whilst supporting recreational rod angling and commercial draft net fisheries wherever possible.

A public consultation process was conducted by IFI to consider the restriction of the commercial draft season on Loughros estuary to 1-21 July for 2025, a restriction which has applied in each of the past four years, to safeguard and promote continued stock recovery and to ensure full compliance with salmon carcass tagging and quota regulations.

In its advice to me, which I have accepted, on measures provided for in the in the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Draft Nets and Snap Nets) Bye-law No. 1018, 2025, IFI supports the continuance of the shortened season for the Owenea and Owentocker rivers/ Loughros Mór estuary. This shortened season of 1-21 July coincides with the annual peak run of grilse to the Owenea and Owentocker fisheries which optimizes catch efficiency and tagging out of available commercial draft net quota as achieved in each of the recent seasons where the measure has been applied. The continuance of this shortened season as a conservation measure will ensure the overall protection of the fishery, efficient use of resources and compliance with tagging and quota restrictions to ensure adequate spawning escapement and the long-term sustainability of the fishery.