Govt set to approve ban on salmon drift-netting at sea

The Government is reportedly expected to approve new recommendations calling for a ban on the controversial practice of salmon drift-netting at sea.

Reports this morning say the move has been recommended by the Independent Salmon Group set up by the coalition to investigate ways to reverse a “catastrophic” decline in salmon stocks.

The group has also reportedly recommended a ban on angling for salmon in some vulnerable rivers in the east and south-east.

Drift-netting at sea has been blamed for the decline in salmon in Irish rivers, but Irish fishing groups have been lobbying strongly against a ban for some time.

The practice has already been outlawed by most other European countries, who say the continuation of drift-netting by Irish fishermen is also damaging stocks in their rivers.

Irish anglers say ongoing drift-netting has severely damaged the angling industry in Ireland and the associated benefits for the tourism trade.