THE SHANNON, Mulcair and District Anglers have accused the ESB of failing in their responsibility of protecting salmon stocks in the lower Shannon and Mulcair river systems.

They say poaching is rampant in the tailrace in Ardnacrusha, Newport, Pallasgreen, Cappamore and around Keeper Hill.

“It is with great regret that the majority of anglers feel betrayed and let down by the ESB. The apathy of the ESB to ensure efficient protection has now reached crisis point as the Mulcair river system heads towards closure.

“Anglers are being forced to accept further restrictions year on year as the poachers are free to net salmon; fish from boats on the Shannon which is illegal; spear salmon under lamp in the upper reaches of the Newport river and main Mulcair…..

Limerick Leader 01/12/2013 Read the article ‘Salmon poaching at ‘crisis point’ say Limerick anglers‘

The long winter shadows are stretching along our streets and creeping in through garden gates to greet us in the morning. At this time of year the motivation to get out and about can begin to wane. But for those brave enough to embrace the elements a winter wonderland full of wildlife is waiting to be discovered.

Putting your theory into practice is very important and on a recent cold but dry day I was standing at the junction of Sarsfield Bridge and O’Callaghan Strand and preparing to take the short walk to Westfields nature reserve. People were rushing by clad in an exotic assortment of colourful hats and woolly scarves. Like the river beneath my feet this mass of people surges with the tides, peaking in the morning and the evening. The daily rhythm of the Shannon also has an effect on wildlife…..

Limerick Leader 30/11/13 Read the article ‘ Wildlife at the river’s edge‘

SALMON Watch Ireland (Swirl) has welcomed the decision of the European Commission (EC) to re-open its file on complaints submitted to it in 2009 about the impact of salmon farm generated sea lice on migrating juvenile wild salmon. The complaints had been lodged by Swirl and Friends of the Irish Environment (Fie).

The re-opening of the file has resulted from Fie drawing the attention of the EC to the fact that analysis of data about the impact of sea lice on juvenile wild salmons by the Marine Institute has been strongly contested by an eminent group of international scientists…..

Irish Times 02/12/2013 Read the article ‘Salmon Watch Ireland welcomes reopening of file on sea lice issue‘