Research vital as International Year of the Salmon highlights challenges to iconic species - Canney

Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries resource

Minister visits Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Salmonid Index Catchment on the River Erriff

29 May 2019: Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries resource, visited the River Erriff (National Salmonid Index Catchment) recently to understand more about the current issues facing salmon in this the International Year of the Salmon and to support what Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is doing to try and arrest the decline in salmon numbers returning to Ireland.

IFI has designated the River Erriff, one of Ireland's premier salmon and sea trout fisheries, as the National Salmonid Index Catchment. Salmon and sea trout migrating upstream in the Erriff must pass through fish counting and trapping facilities located at Aasleagh Falls, where the Erriff flows into Killary Harbour. Since 1985, salmon and sea trout smolts and kelts migrating downstream pass through a trap located below Tawnyard Lough. The facilities at this research station are used for a wide range of scientific research and monitoring activities on the salmonid populations and their migratory behaviour.

Minister Canney met with Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, who outlined that fisheries managers and scientists have been concerned for a number of years about the declining numbers of salmon returning to the Irish coast. In the mid-1970s, almost 1.7 million salmon were estimated to have returned to Ireland compared to approximately 250,000 today. Salmon are a key indicator species and they tell us so much about the health of our aquatic environment.

While even in the recent past salmon were very abundant in Irish rivers, populations over the entire Southern part of the North East Atlantic, which includes France, Spain, England, Scotland and Southern Iceland have declined significantly in the past number of decades, and they need our help.

Following the visit, Minister Canney commented: “Salmon are an iconic fish species in Ireland. They have always had a special place in Irish culture, heritage and mythology with stories such as the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ familiar to generations of our school children. While they are widely distributed throughout Irish river systems with over 140 designated salmon rivers, the numbers of salmon returning to Irish rivers, in common with salmon rivers internationally, have shown a worrying decline in recent decades. Today they remain an important resource to many people, playing an invaluable ecological, social and cultural role in Ireland and across the Northern Hemisphere.

“International Year of the Salmon offers us an opportunity to start an important conversation around how we can protect, conserve and restore salmon populations in Irish and international waters and how we can inspire action. I am delighted to see the excellent research facility here in the Erriff. I( amassured that the ongoing scientific research by IFI adds to our understanding of the issues facing Salmon and will inform Ireland’s position as part of the EU delegation in discussions which will shortly take place at NASCO – the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation - on this important topic”.

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CONTACT: Tony Heffernan / Sebastian Enke, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-2399508 / 087-3239496

Notes for editors:

About International Year of the Salmon

International Year of the Salmon is a world-wide initiative of the North Atlantic Salmon Organisation (NASCO) and the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC). It is hoped that IYS will create a framework for international outreach and research while also raising awareness of what humans can do to ensure salmon and their habitats are conserved and restored against a backdrop of several environmental factors. Visit www.yearofthesalmon.org to find out more.

National Salmonid Index Catchment

IFI has designated the River Erriff, one of Ireland's premier salmon and sea trout fisheries, as the National Salmonid Index Catchment. Salmon and sea trout migrating upstream in the Erriff must pass through fish counting and trapping facilities located at Aasleagh Falls( just north of the Galway/Mayo border), where the Erriff flows into Killary Harbour . Since 1985, salmon and sea trout smolts and kelts migrating downstream pass through a trap below Tawnyard Lough. The facilities at this research station are used for a wide range of scientific research and monitoring activities on the salmonid populations and their migratory behaviour.

Find about more about the National Salmonid Index Catchment at http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/NSIC/the-national-salmonid-index-catchment.html.

International Year of the Salmon Programme in Ireland

Wild Salmon Showcase at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium and Galway Atlantaquaria (Commencing Summer 2019): See wild salmon in action under the water and learn more their life cycle through dedicated salmon installations.
Salmon Pins Programme (Commencing June 2019): Merit pins will be awarded to anglers who return their salmon to water. Return your catch details to earn a specially commissioned once off International Year of the Salmon pin.
Citizen Science Salmon Project (Ongoing): Anglers who are willing to become citizen scientists are taking part in the National Salmon Scale Project which sees them carefully take scale samples from live fish before returning them to water and submitting the samples to Inland Fisheries Ireland for research purposes.
Young Persons Day on the Blackwater Salmon Fishery (Saturday, 22nd of June): Young novice anglers are invited to Blackwater Salmon Fishery for a free educational and fun filled introduction to fishing. Booking required in advance as spaces are limited.
Salmon’s Wake, The Ilen Project (Monday, 1st of July): The Ilen Project ‘Salmon Wake’ will see a wooden ship ‘Ilen’ launch from Limerick and sail towards West Greenland following the journey which migrating wild Atlantic Salmon take every year.
National Catch & Release Weekend (Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July): A Catch & Release weekend will take place on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July with anglers invited to handle fish safely and return them to water after catch. #cprsavesfish
Fishy Fun at the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (Saturday, 20th of July): Drop in to the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History Dublin to have some fishy fun and celebrate International Year of the Salmon with a range of interactive activities for all the family.
The Salmon of Colour (June – October 2019): Pick up a copy of The Salmon of Colour Children’s Colouring Competition in the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History during the summer months or download for free online at www.fisheriesireland.ie/iys to be in with a chance of winning a €100 voucher and private tour of the museum!
International Marine Biology Symposium with focus on Salmon (25th – 29th August): The 54th European Marine Biology Symposiumwill be hosted by University College Dublinand will attract marine biologists from all over the world.
IYS at the National Ploughing Championships (17th – 19th September): A family friendly fun zone focused on salmon will be at Ireland’s largest agricultural show, the National Ploughing Championships.
Salmon Schools Workshop at the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (October 2019): School workshops will be hosted by experienced education staff from Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History.

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.