Minister Kyne Welcomes Owenriff Stock Management Plan and Survey by Inland Fisheries Ireland

Efforts to rehabilitate salmon and trout populations and maintain genetic diversity planned for Lough Corrib tributary

Tuesday, 28th November, 2017: Sean Kyne TD, Minister with responsibility for Inland Fisheries, has welcomed the development, by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), of a specific stock management plan for Galway’s Owenriff system aimed at removing pike from the system as a significant step forward.

Stock management operations are normally commenced in February each year and the Owenriff plan will be implemented for 2018.

Minister Kyne said: “I met recently with the Board and senior management of Inland Fisheries Ireland to discuss this, and other issues, and it has now been agreed that, in line with current policy, a stock management plan explicitly for the Owenriff will be implemented in a more intensive focus on the system to facilitate the recovery of the salmonid populations.

“It has also been agreed that IFI will continue to implement a stock management programme for the entire Corrib catchment, in line with its current policy,” he added.

The Minister also welcomed confirmation by Inland Fisheries Ireland that the results of a fish population survey of the Owenriff system, which was undertaken during the summer of 2017, will be reported on in January 2018.

minister welcome Owenriff Stock Management Plan and survey

Photo: Minister Sean Kyne with the Inland Fisheries Ireland team at the Ploughing Championships recently

Dr. Cathal Gallagher, Head of Research and Development, at Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “We have listened to local stakeholders and staff in relation to threats posed to salmon and trout populations in the Owenriff, a tributary of Lough Corrib. To understand the scale of the issues reported and to support evidence-based management, Inland Fisheries Ireland conducted a fish population survey in late June and late July 2017. We have since worked in the laboratory and with relevant analytical tools to understand the dynamics of the fish stocks in this catchment. We have also reviewed mitigation actions that could be taken to restore damage incurred by specific stocks. A proposed rehabilitation plan for the system will be delivered in parallel to the fish stock survey report.”

As part of its research into fish population in the Owenriff system, IFI surveyed 17 river sites and two lakes using standard fish population sampling methods. Inland Fisheries Ireland staff are currently analysing the data and comparing it to data from previous surveys and neighbouring catchments to determine the status of the fish stocks and to assess change.

A fish stock survey report, which will be available in January, will document important metrics, including fish species richness, fish abundance, length frequency, age and growth, fish ecological status, etc. Supported by analysis of the survey results, and taking account of the ecology of specific systems, Inland Fisheries Ireland will also deliver a detailed plan which will focus on the rehabilitation of endangered fish populations in this important catchment. This will include plans to maintain the genetic diversity of salmon and trout stocks in the Owenriff catchment.

ENDS

For media information:

Paul O’Mahony

Communications Manager

E: paul.omahony@fisheriesireland.ie

T: 353 (0) 1 8842675

Notes to Editors:

About Minister Kyne

Minister Kyne is the Minister of State at the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment with policy responsibility for the Inland Fisheries Sector.

About Inland Fisheries Ireland:

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.