Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

247. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the work of the Minister of State with Responsibility for the Marine in light of reports of frightening decline in Atlantic fish stocks and the contribution of commercial fishing to this decline (details supplied). [30103/25]

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

A range of measures are in place for the management of Atlantic salmon stocks, based on scientific advice and international agreements aimed at conserving those stocks.

In Ireland, rivers are only open to harvest salmon where it has been confirmed that the individual river is sufficiently exceeding its conservation limit so that there is a harvestable surplus available. This means there will be no indiscriminate capture of fish.

Commercial fishing and harvesting by recreational angling continue only on a scientifically identified exploitable surplus. A number of regulations and bye-laws for the conservation and management of salmon are in place for 2025 and reflect scientific advice and compliance with international and EU obligations. In Ireland, we operate an individual management regime for each of Ireland's assessed salmon rivers, river sections and estuaries based on the conservation imperative for their individual genetic stock in line with the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive.

Both anglers and commercial fishers of salmon are subject to holding an annual licence and strict regulations which are monitored by IFI throughout the year to ensure compliance.

Additionally, the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation Conservation & Protection Fund has been in operation since 2007 to implement a programme for rehabilitation of salmon stocks. Over €6 million has been paid out to date on qualifying projects.

Separately, work is underway in my Department on the development of a new policy statement for the inland fisheries sector which will take account of developments and challenges around conservation issues in the sector including in relation to salmon.