Govt approves proposed ban on drift-netting for salmon

The Government has approved proposals for a ban on drift-netting and angling for salmon in an effort to reverse declining stocks of the species in Irish rivers.

The decision was taken by the cabinet at a meeting this morning.

Last week, an independent report recommended the ban in order to tackle what it called a "disastrous" decline in salmon stocks in Ireland's waterways.

The measure will outlaw drift-netting at sea and angling for salmon in a number of vulnerable rivers in the east and the south-east such as the Liffey, the Boyne, the Suir, the Barrow and the Nore.

The ban will come into effect next year.

A hardship fund of €30m has been proposed by the Independent Salmon Group to compensate those affected by the move.

Salmon fishermen are vehemently opposed to the move, which they claim will wipe out hundreds of jobs.