Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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20. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a Departmental policy has been agreed to impose a total catch and release model for recreational salmon angling in the jurisdiction for 2026; and if his officials have considered the adverse implications for all other forms of angling particularly the mandatory use of single and double barbless hooks where salmon reside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55550/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that no such policy has been agreed for 2026.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon. IFI is supported in its management role by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS), comprising scientists from a range of organisations. Scientific and management assessments of each of the distinct stocks in our river systems are carried out every year, with IFI engaged in extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the scientific committee's annual reviews.

Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations are made each year to set out the position regarding the management of the wild salmon and sea trout fishery in Ireland. The Regulations are based on my consideration of these individual annual scientific assessments of Ireland's salmon rivers with sustainability of the species being our overarching objective. This scientific assessment will inform my consideration of the position ahead of the 2026 season.