Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
148. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications considering the large unexplained mortalities of 1,079+ sexually mature adult Atlantic salmon in the Ballysadare River, County Sligo in July 2024, how the rod angling harvestable quota can increase by nearly 300% for this calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14887/25]
View answerAtlantic salmon conservation work at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is supported by independent scientific advice provided by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS). River-specific scientific catch advice on our salmon fisheries is provided by TEGOS based on a forecast of the abundance of salmon which will return to each river in that year, comparison of the estimated returns to the river-specific conservation limit, and determination of harvest of salmon which could be made while allowing a high probability (75%) that the Conservation Limit will be met.
IFI then formulate and transmit this advice to my Department which informs the publication of the relevant draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations for public consultation. On conclusion of this process, the Regulations are finalised and enacted in advance of the upcoming fishing season.
My officials have consulted with IFI on this matter who have advised that the annual harvestable quota advised for the Ballysadare salmon stock is primarily based on adult returns from the fish counter located there. The most recent preceding five-year period with available data is considered along with any angling harvest below the counter. The primary reason the rod angling quota increased in 2025 compared to 2024 was that the mean counter returns of the respective five-year periods used was greater for 2025 than 2024. The excess mortalities documented in 2024 were omitted from the counter returns and calculations used to determine the harvestable quota advised. In addition to this, for the 2025 catch advice, TEGOS applied a raising factor of 5% to the fish counter data to account for the relatively small number of fish that may bypass the counter. It should be noted that despite the fish kill, the returns of adult salmon to the river were good in 2024 and above the required conservation limit.
