Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
314. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason a catch and release policy has been introduced on the Clare and Corrib Rivers in County Galway; if he will publish the full scientific basis for the proposed catch and release designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1882/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra315. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the opportunities anglers and angling bodies have to contribute to the decisions surrounding river and fish stock management before a proposed decision is made; if he has considered involving these angling groups in the initial stages of analysing river and fish stock status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1883/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together.
There are a number of established opportunities for anglers and angling bodies to contribute to decisions on river and stock management, including statutory consultation where anglers can make formal submissions during public consultations on proposed fisheries regulations or byelaws.
Some early-stage opportunities include:
Scientific data collection: Anglers make a direct scientific contribution through participation in data systems that underpin stock assessments such as rod catch returns, logbook and tagging data, and other voluntary reporting initiatives. This data feeds directly into the work of the Technical Group on Salmon (TEGOS), which provides the river-by-river stock assessments used to inform management decisions.
Local engagement: Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) regularly engages with anglers and groups through regional offices, meetings with angling and other clubs and catchment-specific events.
Representative structures: Anglers are represented through a range of angling representative bodies on the Department’s Angling Advisory Group and IFI’s National Inland Fisheries Forum, which provide input from the angling sector into fisheries policy and management decisions.
No decision has been made yet on measures for the 2026 season.
The scientific advice informing management measures for 2026 is provided by the TEGOS, in its Status of Irish Salmon Stocks in 2026 with Catch Advice for 2026, published at www.fisheriesireland.ie/publications. River-by-river assessments are set out in Appendix IV of that report.
Overall, the classification of rivers as open, catch-and-release only, or closed is based on probability-based scientific assessment carried out by TEGOS. Catch and release is proposed where adult forecast returns are at or are close to conservation limits and where the probability-based analysis indicates that allowing a harvest would reduce the likelihood of meeting those limits. The proposed classifications for the Clare and Corrib Rivers arise from the application of this probability-based methodology to their respective stock assessments, as set out in Appendix IV of the TEGOS Report.
