Danish Telemetry Expert visits Ireland’s National Sea Trout Index Catchment

Thursday, 27th August 2015

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) welcomed a recent visit from Dr Niels Jepsen, from the Danish Technical University’s National Institute of Aquatic Resources, to the Erriff catchment.

Dr Jepsen, an international sea trout researcher who specialises in fish telemetry, visited the River Erriff fishery, which is situated on the Galway-Mayo border and functions as the National Sea trout Index catchment.

Viewing sea trout in one of the fish trapping facilities on the Erriff were (L-R): Dr Cathal Gallagher (IFI); Dr Niels Jepson (DTU); Dr Paddy Gargan (IFI), Padraic O’Malley (IFI), Glen Wightman (IFI) and Dr Sam Shephard (IFI).

Commenting on the fishery’s extensive fish monitoring facilities, Dr Jepsen said: “The Erriff system presents a world-class salmonid research facility and I am very enthusiastic about the potential for collaborative salmonid research between the Danish Technological University and IFI in the future.”

The visit highlighted the sea trout research that has been on-going in the Erriff catchment since 1985 when the research fish trap and counting facilities were installed. Ongoing telemetry studies in the Erriff catchment and associated coastal waters aimed at investigating migration, distribution, habitat usage and survival of sea trout and salmon smolts in the marine environment on the west coast of Ireland were discussed in detail during the visit.

IFI’s Head of Research, Dr Cathal Gallagher, welcomed Dr Jepsen’s comments. He said: “Inland Fisheries Ireland is delighted with this important opportunity to share expertise in sea trout research and looks forward to undertaking collaborative salmonid research with DTU.”

IFI’s CEO, Dr Ciaran Byrne commented that the development of this international relationship is particularly timely given the increased focus IFI have placed on understanding sea trout ecology and biology in the near shore environment. Sharing international expertise is essential when dealing with the complex and difficult issues facing sea trout, particularly in the context of IFI’s national role in protecting and conserving this important but vulnerable migratory trout.”

For more information, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie

ENDS

Contact: Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development, Inland Fisheries Ireland
Mob: 087-2690183 Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to Editors

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling. For more information visit: www.fisheriesireland.ie.