Advice from the International Council of Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is that European salmon stocks (which includes Irish stocks) of both 1 sea-winter salmon (1SW) and multi-sea winter salmon (MSW) returns have decreased substantially since the 1970s. In all cases the spawning stock is not sufficient to meet Conservation Limits. A Conservation Limit is a biological reference point which can be used to assess if salmon stocks are reproducing in sufficient quantities to generate the next generation of salmon.

The Standing Scientific Committee to the National Salmon Commission have examined Conservation Limits in an Irish context, on a national, fishery district and individual river system basis. They have identified 8 fishery districts where the number of salmon returning to spawn is less than the Conservation Limit. Salmon stocks in these districts are therefore outside precautionary limits.

With fewer fish surviving it is necessary to reduce exploitation to ensure that sufficient salmon spawn successfully. Catch and release is one of a range of conservation measures being practised to reduce mortality in recreational fisheries.

MANDATORY CATCH & RELEASE

Mandatory catch and release will operate from the 1st of September to the close of the season on all rivers in the following districts – Dundalk, Drogheda, Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. These districts are below their Conservation Limits and the measure is designed to increase the number of salmon surviving to spawn.

Salmon and sea trout on the entire river system and its tributaries must be returned from September 1st to the close of the angling season using the catch & release guidelines contained in this leaflet. Please contact your Regional Fisheries Board for local information.

• Dundalk District – Cooley, Flurry Water, Castletown, Fane, Glyde, Dee.
• Drogheda District – Boyne, Nanny.
• Dublin District – Ward, Liffey, Dargle, Vartry.
• Wexford District – Avoca, Slaney, Owenavorragh, Sow.
• Waterford District – Corock, Owenduff, Barrow, Nore, Suir, Mahon, Tay, Colligan, Pollmounty, Aughnavad, Lingaun, Glen, Clodiagh.
• Limerick District – Inagh, Annageeragh, Shannon (incl. Mulkear, Maigue, Deel), Suck, Derravaragh, Fergus, Feale.
• Galway District - Owenriff, Owenboliska, Corrib, Kilcolgan, Aille.
• Sligo District - Ballysadare, Garvogue, Drumcliff.

VOLUNTARY CATCH & RELEASE

In addition to mandatory catch and release from September for all salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40 cm) in the 8 districts below Conservation Limits, anglers can play an important part in the protection of future stocks by returning salmon in rivers where insufficient salmon are surviving to spawn. The practice of catch and release has been increasing in recent years and in 2005, anglers returned 12% of the salmon catch taken by rod and line.

In particular, stocks of spring fish (multi-sea-winter salmon) are at an all-time low across the North Atlantic. Assessments of salmon stocks by scientists using rod catch as an estimate of total stock have indicated that only 24 rivers in Ireland are consistently meeting their Conservation Limit. By voluntarily returning spring fish and grilse to all river anglers are helping to protect future salmon stocks by allowing additional numbers of salmon to spawn.

To find out more visit the Central Fisheries Board by clicking here