Anglers argue with new rules on salmon fishing
The National Salmon Commission will today consider if it will impose new rules sanctioned by the Minister for Marine Dermot Ahern following evidence that salmon stocks have fallen to worryingly low levels.
Under the new rules, anglers were encouraged to voluntarily release all salmon caught during the month of August. However, one proposal to be considered by the Commission today is for that measure to be made mandatory from September 1.
This prospect has caused concern to angling tourist interests, who say that it would have a devastating impact on their industry. Revenue from angling tourism is estimated to be e55 million per annum from the 40,000 tourists who come to Ireland specifically to fish.
A delegation from the industry met the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism John O’Donoghue yesterday and argued that recreational angling had a minimal impact on salmon stock.
It is understood that Mr O’Donoghue has conveyed those concerns to Mr Ahern and to junior minister John Browne and has asked the Commission to take into account the concerns of the tourism angling industry when reaching a decision on the imposition of new rules today.
