Bag limit reduced to one fish a day in September
Source:
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John Browne Approves Measures to Protect Wild Irish Salmon
John Browne T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has announced today his approval for measures governing the operation of salmon angling for the remainder of the 2004 season, based on a recommendation by the National Salmon Commission (the statutory advisory body comprising representatives of the stakeholders in the wild salmon fishery).
The Commission has recommended to the Minister that there would be continued encouragement to all anglers to voluntarily fish on a catch and release basis between now and the end of the season but that from 1 September, the daily permissible limit be reduced from three fish to one fish subject to the existing maximum levels per annum.
Minister Browne thanked Mr Joey Murrin, chairman and the members of the National Salmon Commission for arriving at a proposal which delivered a practical mechanism to effect the protection of salmon stocks while acknowledging the important role angling played in attracting tourists to Ireland.
“The recommendation made by the Salmon Commission, which I fully endorse, will afford the continuation of the season for tourism angling into September but at the same time minimise the impact on our valuable wild salmon stocks.” Minister Browne concluded.
Background
The advice to the Minister from all of the State agencies involved in the management of the wild salmon resource indicates that there is a poor run of salmon this year and that immediate measures are necessary to reduce angling exploitation for the remainder of this year. For this reason, the Minister last week strongly urged all anglers to voluntarily fish on a catch and release basis during the month of August so as to ensure an increased survival level for spawning purposes during the remainder of the year.
The Salmon Commission, at a specially convened meeting today, considered in detail what options will best protect the long term viability of the valuable indigenous natural resource while having the smallest possible impact on those who derive their livelihoods from this sector. (My comment: Buy out the drift nets and compensate the netsman properly).