Anglers blame drift netting for river’s salmon slump
Figures released yesterday by the Fort William Fishery, on the River Blackwater near Fermoy, County Cork, also show a major increase in the number of damaged fish being caught due to coming into contact with commercial nets.
Patrick Devennie, fishery manager on the Fort William estate, said tourist anglers attracted to the 3.5-mile beat dropped last June by 60% and 67% in July. Catches of salmon are, however, healthy in August and September - when the drift netting season is over. But they are also dependent on adequate rainfall to allow salmon to move upstream.