How can we be sure of salmon stocks if we don’t have a salmon counter?

I have managed a fishery in Ballyduff Upper on the Blackwater River for the past 10 years. My records show a dramatic decline in salmon returning to the system — in fact a 60% drop in the last five years.

Yet Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) officials tell us there are three times more fish returning than is necessary to maintain a healthy population. However, as there is no longer a salmon counter on the Blackwater, this must be guesswork.

I have never seen an IFI official on the river and agree with your corespondent from Kanturk (Letters, July 6) that IFI officials are not doing enough to preserve salmon stocks.

When the licence price was increased, a certain amount was meant for preservation of salmon.

Len Tomlinson

Ballyduff Bridge Fishery

Co Waterford