I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
Wild Atlantic Salmon are protected under relevant European and national legislation including EU Habitats Directive, the Inland Fisheries Acts 1959 to 2017, the annual Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations and relevant national inland fisheries bye-laws.
The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme provides the statutory framework for the management of salmon fisheries. Under this framework, salmon fishing is only permitted on designated salmon rivers which exceed their conservation limit, as assessed by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS). Rivers that are non-designated or closed do not have an open salmon fishery.
The Owenriff (Barna), which may hold some stocks of salmon, is not a designated salmon river. There are no plans at present to close this river to all rod and line angling. Fishing for other permitted species can take place in non-designated rivers, subject to the necessary licences or permits being in place. Salmon cannot be targeted in non-designated rivers and salmon bycatch (i.e. the incidental or accidental capture of salmon) cannot be retained and must be released immediately to the water unharmed.
