Canney Launches new fisheries protection vessel to mark the launch of International Year of the Salmon
It is estimated that 240,000 Atlantic salmon returned to Irish shores last year, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland. The enduring Atlantic salmon populations in Irish waters were being highlighted at the launch of the International Year of the Salmon (IYS), which takes place in 2019. Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, marked the launch by unveiling one of a new fleet of 12 RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) to highlight the importance of fisheries protection especially during migration along the coasts.
The new DELTA 780HX Maritime Protection RIB which was unveiled at the launch of the International Year of the Salmon. The fisheries protection vessel will ensure proper protection of salmon in the coastal waters of Ireland during migration.
Atlantic salmon populations are widely distributed throughout Irish freshwaters with over 140 such systems designated as salmon rivers. While 240,000 Atlantic salmon returned to Ireland from the sea as part of the natural migration last year, representing the healthy condition of Irish river stocks, the numbers returning to Irish shores has decreased by over 70 per cent in recent decades. In the 1970s, the number of Atlantic salmon returning peaked at 1,800,000.
Minister Canney said: “It is vital that we protect our valuable fisheries resource as environmental change and human impacts are placing salmon and other species at risk. The International Year of the Salmon is a global initiative which aims to bring people together to share knowledge, raise awareness and take action on how we can ensure the resilience of salmon in Ireland and in the Northern Hemisphere. Ireland is recognised as an international exemplar in terms of placing the conservation imperative at the very heart of our salmon management and I am committed to leading our participation in this initiative on behalf of the Government, the Department and Inland fisheries Ireland”, he added
Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector is pictured with with Josie Mahon, Fisheries Inspector, Maurice Carolan, Assistant Fisheries Inspector, Frances Carolan, Fisheries Inspector and Ronan O’Brien Fisheries Inspector. Picture Andres Poveda
The continuing declining trend in many wild salmon stocks both nationally and internationally in recent decades has been attributed to many different factors such as climate change, alterations to physical habitats, water quality issues, predation, over-fishing and increased mortality due to sea lice.
International Year of the Salmon is a joint world-wide initiative of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) and the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) alongside other partners across the globe, creating an international framework for collaborative outreach and research. It is hoped that IYS will raise awareness of what humans can do to ensure salmon and their habitats are conserved and restored against a backdrop of several environmental factors.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “I am delighted that we are adding to our protection fleet today, particularly in light of the challenges facing salmon stocks across the Northern hemisphere. In Ireland, salmon are part of our national identity, holding a special place in our culture and heritage. In fact, salmon populations have sustained many rural communities over many decades. The extraordinary life cycles of salmon however exposes them to many environmental and human caused factors which influence their health and populations.
Fisheries managers and scientists have been concerned for a number of years about the declining numbers of salmon returning to the Irish coast. International Year of the Salmon offers us an opportunity to start an important conversation around how we can protect, conserve and restore salmon populations in Irish and international waters and more importantly, how we can inspire action. Inland Fisheries Ireland looks forward to continuing this conversation over 2019 and beyond.”
Minister Canney emphasised that since 1996, a progressive series of conservation initiatives have been introduced in Ireland to try to address the decline in salmon stocks. Inland Fisheries Ireland implements the Wild Salmon Conservation Scheme, managing rivers on an individual basis, rather than a national or district basis with only rivers with an identifiable surplus over the conservation limit open for the harvest of salmon and sea trout. In addition, the Salmon Conservation Fund, which is generated from the sale of salmon angling and commercial fishing licences, reinvests in projects which promote the recovery of salmon stocks and habitats.
During International Year of the Salmon, Inland Fisheries Ireland will introduce a commemorative salmon licence which will include updated information for anglers on catch & release angling. Carcass tags will also be rebranded to read: ‘Do you need me? Think twice before killing.’ A number of other awareness and outreach initiatives will also be introduced in the New Year, these will be publicised both on www.yearofthesalmon.org and Inland Fisheries Ireland’s dedicated webpage www.fisheriesireland.ie/iys.
The new fisheries protection RIB, officially introduced to the protection fleet in Greystones, Co.Wicklow to mark the start of International Year of the Salmon, will serve the east coast and larger inland lakes in the Eastern River Basin District. It comes after the launch of other RIBs around the country in recent months. Inland Fisheries Ireland is replacing its sea going fleet with 12 new Delta 780HX Maritime Protection RIBs built by Delta in Manchester. This will ensure proper protection of salmon in the coastal waters of Ireland out to the 12 mile limit.
Canney Launches new fisheries protection vessel to mark the launch of International Year of the Salmon
It is estimated that 240,000 Atlantic salmon returned to Irish shores last year, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland. The enduring Atlantic salmon populations in Irish waters were being highlighted at the launch of the International Year of the Salmon (IYS), which takes place in 2019. Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, marked the launch by unveiling one of a new fleet of 12 RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) to highlight the importance of fisheries protection especially during migration along the coasts.
The new DELTA 780HX Maritime Protection RIB which was unveiled at the launch of the International Year of the Salmon. The fisheries protection vessel will ensure proper protection of salmon in the coastal waters of Ireland during migration.
Atlantic salmon populations are widely distributed throughout Irish freshwaters with over 140 such systems designated as salmon rivers. While 240,000 Atlantic salmon returned to Ireland from the sea as part of the natural migration last year, representing the healthy condition of Irish river stocks, the numbers returning to Irish shores has decreased by over 70 per cent in recent decades. In the 1970s, the number of Atlantic salmon returning peaked at 1,800,000.
Minister Canney said: “It is vital that we protect our valuable fisheries resource as environmental change and human impacts are placing salmon and other species at risk. The International Year of the Salmon is a global initiative which aims to bring people together to share knowledge, raise awareness and take action on how we can ensure the resilience of salmon in Ireland and in the Northern Hemisphere. Ireland is recognised as an international exemplar in terms of placing the conservation imperative at the very heart of our salmon management and I am committed to leading our participation in this initiative on behalf of the Government, the Department and Inland fisheries Ireland”, he added
Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector is pictured with with Josie Mahon, Fisheries Inspector, Maurice Carolan, Assistant Fisheries Inspector, Frances Carolan, Fisheries Inspector and Ronan O’Brien Fisheries Inspector. Picture Andres Poveda
The continuing declining trend in many wild salmon stocks both nationally and internationally in recent decades has been attributed to many different factors such as climate change, alterations to physical habitats, water quality issues, predation, over-fishing and increased mortality due to sea lice.
International Year of the Salmon is a joint world-wide initiative of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) and the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) alongside other partners across the globe, creating an international framework for collaborative outreach and research. It is hoped that IYS will raise awareness of what humans can do to ensure salmon and their habitats are conserved and restored against a backdrop of several environmental factors.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “I am delighted that we are adding to our protection fleet today, particularly in light of the challenges facing salmon stocks across the Northern hemisphere. In Ireland, salmon are part of our national identity, holding a special place in our culture and heritage. In fact, salmon populations have sustained many rural communities over many decades. The extraordinary life cycles of salmon however exposes them to many environmental and human caused factors which influence their health and populations.
Fisheries managers and scientists have been concerned for a number of years about the declining numbers of salmon returning to the Irish coast. International Year of the Salmon offers us an opportunity to start an important conversation around how we can protect, conserve and restore salmon populations in Irish and international waters and more importantly, how we can inspire action. Inland Fisheries Ireland looks forward to continuing this conversation over 2019 and beyond.”
Minister Canney emphasised that since 1996, a progressive series of conservation initiatives have been introduced in Ireland to try to address the decline in salmon stocks. Inland Fisheries Ireland implements the Wild Salmon Conservation Scheme, managing rivers on an individual basis, rather than a national or district basis with only rivers with an identifiable surplus over the conservation limit open for the harvest of salmon and sea trout. In addition, the Salmon Conservation Fund, which is generated from the sale of salmon angling and commercial fishing licences, reinvests in projects which promote the recovery of salmon stocks and habitats.
During International Year of the Salmon, Inland Fisheries Ireland will introduce a commemorative salmon licence which will include updated information for anglers on catch & release angling. Carcass tags will also be rebranded to read: ‘Do you need me? Think twice before killing.’ A number of other awareness and outreach initiatives will also be introduced in the New Year, these will be publicised both on www.yearofthesalmon.org and Inland Fisheries Ireland’s dedicated webpage www.fisheriesireland.ie/iys.
The new fisheries protection RIB, officially introduced to the protection fleet in Greystones, Co.Wicklow to mark the start of International Year of the Salmon, will serve the east coast and larger inland lakes in the Eastern River Basin District. It comes after the launch of other RIBs around the country in recent months. Inland Fisheries Ireland is replacing its sea going fleet with 12 new Delta 780HX Maritime Protection RIBs built by Delta in Manchester. This will ensure proper protection of salmon in the coastal waters of Ireland out to the 12 mile limit.
Bill Braizier, Editor at Off The Scale gives a run down of whats in the latest edition of this on line fishing magazine…
Great news! Issue 25 of Ireland’s #1 angling magazine is out now and available both online or as a swanky interactive PDF download.
This one’s a real cracker with plenty of content to keep you informed, entertained and inspired on these long, dark nights in the run up to Christmas. How we can save the Atlantic salmon, pike fishing on the Erne, the implications of Brexit on Irish fishing, an ambitious & very impressive angling accommodation project in Cavan, the psychology of successful fly anglers, what it feels like to win a World silver medal for the Irish team, big trout reservoir pike and what the future holds for Irish carp angling – it’s all here plus so much more. How we still offer a magazine of this standard for free is beyond us – you will really struggle to find a better all-round angling mag anywhere!
We hope you enjoy this issue and if you do then please share it all over social media, by emails, text – any way you can!
With the holidays around the corner you might also consider picking up one of our beautiful fishing wall calendars – just €12 all-in. They make awesome presents and really help us to keep doing what we do best!
Written by Dan O’Donovan Salmon of the River Lee is a high quality hardback, thread sewn, production with over 150 photographs – and would make a great Christmas gift for the salmon angler in your life…
Salmon of the River Lee, edited by Jack Power, is available at TW Murrays in St Patrick’s Street, Cork; Rory’s Tackle Shop, Templebar, Dublin; Cong Angling Centre, Cong, Co Mayo; Macroom Bookshop; and online at www.anglebooks.com and www.rareandrecent.com
It may be hard to imagine in the middle of an exceptional Summer drought
but the Lee was once one of the truly great salmon rivers of these islands.
Today’s miniscule runs of salmon make it even harder to imagine that there
was once an entire tourism industry built along the river valley because of
the Lee’s magnificent runs of Spring salmon – but there was. In fact, the
fish were so abundant that at one stage there were 18 commercial netting
stations along the river and its tributaries.
These memories of the river, especially the river before the dams at
Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid limited the salmon runs, are fading from
living memory and are on the cusp of being lost forever. With that in mind
local club, the Cork Salmon Anglers Association has just published a
not-for-profit history of salmon on the Lee.
*Salmon of the River Lee*, launched most appropriately in the Inniscarra
Bar recently, is made up of a series of contributions from a range of
people with specialist knowledge in the area. Dan O‘Donovan focuses on the
statistical history of the river and even in a litany of figures
incomprehensible by today’s standards one piece of data stands out. In the
dry summer of 1975, 90,225 salmon were officially recorded as caught by
netsmen between Ballycotton and the mouth of the Illen River at Skibbereen
– essentially the old Cork District for fishery administration. The total
catch may have been even higher. That the total national catch for the
entire country has hovered around the 30,000 mark for the last number of
years gives a chilling indication of how this once great resource has been
reduced.
Ploughing near Macroom, 1953 – look closely at the photo – the angler has a good salmon by his leg…
The human side of the story is told too through Tommy O’Sullivan, the last
man alive to have caught a 40-pound salmon in the river. He caught it near
where the Lee and Dripsey rivers meet in April, 1950. On his way home he
caught a second fish – a mere 30-pounder. These details may be lost on a
non-angler but to put it in context, no-one alive will ever repeat that
feat. You’d have a far better chance of winning the Lotto three weekends in
a row!
Diarmid Williams writes of his family’s long association with the river and
its angling through their hotel in Macroom – now the Castle hotel – and
through Coolcower House, which was visited by anglers from far and wide on
an annual basis. Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland fisheries Ireland writes about
what the future might hold and how we might better help the remnants of a
once great population to recover. Internationally recognised fly dresser
Dave Carne writes about the old Lee classic patterns and offers some
beautiful examples. Angling historian Martin Lanigan-O’Keeffe contributes
on the same subject. A unique feature of the book is that some club members
have written short pieces on what the river and its gifts mean to
them. Maurice Buckley writes about the tackle trade and manufacturing in Cork over the
centuries. A series of old photographs showing how very beautiful the
valley was before the dams were built are striking too and show what a very
heavy price we sometimes pay for progress.
The objective of this project was to honour and remember a once-great
river, hopefully, it has been realised.
Buy the book…
Salmon of the River Lee, edited by Jack Power, is available online at
Bill Braizier, Editor at Off The Scale gives a run down of whats in the latest edition of this on line fishing magazine…
Great news! Issue 25 of Ireland’s #1 angling magazine is out now and available both online or as a swanky interactive PDF download.
This one’s a real cracker with plenty of content to keep you informed, entertained and inspired on these long, dark nights in the run up to Christmas. How we can save the Atlantic salmon, pike fishing on the Erne, the implications of Brexit on Irish fishing, an ambitious & very impressive angling accommodation project in Cavan, the psychology of successful fly anglers, what it feels like to win a World silver medal for the Irish team, big trout reservoir pike and what the future holds for Irish carp angling – it’s all here plus so much more. How we still offer a magazine of this standard for free is beyond us – you will really struggle to find a better all-round angling mag anywhere!
We hope you enjoy this issue and if you do then please share it all over social media, by emails, text – any way you can!
With the holidays around the corner you might also consider picking up one of our beautiful fishing wall calendars – just €12 all-in. They make awesome presents and really help us to keep doing what we do best!
Written by Dan O’Donovan Salmon of the River Lee is a high quality hardback, thread sewn, production with over 150 photographs – and would make a great Christmas gift for the salmon angler in your life…
Salmon of the River Lee, edited by Jack Power, is available at TW Murrays in St Patrick’s Street, Cork; Rory’s Tackle Shop, Templebar, Dublin; Cong Angling Centre, Cong, Co Mayo; Macroom Bookshop; and online at www.anglebooks.com and www.rareandrecent.com
It may be hard to imagine in the middle of an exceptional Summer drought
but the Lee was once one of the truly great salmon rivers of these islands.
Today’s miniscule runs of salmon make it even harder to imagine that there
was once an entire tourism industry built along the river valley because of
the Lee’s magnificent runs of Spring salmon – but there was. In fact, the
fish were so abundant that at one stage there were 18 commercial netting
stations along the river and its tributaries.
These memories of the river, especially the river before the dams at
Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid limited the salmon runs, are fading from
living memory and are on the cusp of being lost forever. With that in mind
local club, the Cork Salmon Anglers Association has just published a
not-for-profit history of salmon on the Lee.
*Salmon of the River Lee*, launched most appropriately in the Inniscarra
Bar recently, is made up of a series of contributions from a range of
people with specialist knowledge in the area. Dan O‘Donovan focuses on the
statistical history of the river and even in a litany of figures
incomprehensible by today’s standards one piece of data stands out. In the
dry summer of 1975, 90,225 salmon were officially recorded as caught by
netsmen between Ballycotton and the mouth of the Illen River at Skibbereen
– essentially the old Cork District for fishery administration. The total
catch may have been even higher. That the total national catch for the
entire country has hovered around the 30,000 mark for the last number of
years gives a chilling indication of how this once great resource has been
reduced.
Ploughing near Macroom, 1953 – look closely at the photo – the angler has a good salmon by his leg…
The human side of the story is told too through Tommy O’Sullivan, the last
man alive to have caught a 40-pound salmon in the river. He caught it near
where the Lee and Dripsey rivers meet in April, 1950. On his way home he
caught a second fish – a mere 30-pounder. These details may be lost on a
non-angler but to put it in context, no-one alive will ever repeat that
feat. You’d have a far better chance of winning the Lotto three weekends in
a row!
Diarmid Williams writes of his family’s long association with the river and
its angling through their hotel in Macroom – now the Castle hotel – and
through Coolcower House, which was visited by anglers from far and wide on
an annual basis. Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland fisheries Ireland writes about
what the future might hold and how we might better help the remnants of a
once great population to recover. Internationally recognised fly dresser
Dave Carne writes about the old Lee classic patterns and offers some
beautiful examples. Angling historian Martin Lanigan-O’Keeffe contributes
on the same subject. A unique feature of the book is that some club members
have written short pieces on what the river and its gifts mean to
them. Maurice Buckley writes about the tackle trade and manufacturing in Cork over the
centuries. A series of old photographs showing how very beautiful the
valley was before the dams were built are striking too and show what a very
heavy price we sometimes pay for progress.
The objective of this project was to honour and remember a once-great
river, hopefully, it has been realised.
Buy the book…
Salmon of the River Lee, edited by Jack Power, is available online at
It has been a quiet week for angling in Ireland as the unsettled weather of the last week developed into Storm Diana. Tomorrow sees the official start of Winter and the countdown to Christmas begin in earnest…
Coarse anglers on the River Bann at the weekend enjoyed good fishing with catches to a very impressive 40lb recorded in competition.
Our pike angling news is from competitions also. Tough fishing was reported from a boat competition on Lough Deravarragh. Meanwhile a shore based event fished at Blessington had 19 pike to nearly 17lb landed.
In sea angling news we have reports of bass to over 10lb from the shore at Courtmacsherry along with good catches from charter boats. Shore anglers in Donegal report that the winter species are now dominating their catches.
Salmon angling regulations for 2019 are in draft form and can be reviewed at the following link. Closing date for observations or objections is 13 December 2018.
Finally, all water users along the River Shannon are reminded to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of Crayfish Plague (which kills native freshwater White-clawed Crayfish) on a stretch of the Al River. This river is one of the main tributaries to the River Shannon in Athlone and flows westerly, entering the Shannon downstream of the weir. More information here Water users urged to take precautions to limit an outbreak of Crayfish Plague confirmed on Al River, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
And now the weather…
Another storm has blown through and in its place we have had pretty wet conditions. Tomorrow will be damp and cool and the outlook is for unsettled weather with showers or spells of rain at times over the weekend. It will turn colder with some frosty nights during the early days of next week. Who’s watching the “Toy show” tonight?
26 November: A lovely evening on the rocks yesterday evening and a stunning display right in close of the Bluefin tuna feeding on the bait ball within casting distance from the shore was a sight to behold. Great to see them still about…
A greedy codling takes a big lug bait.
With the dropping temperatures now the fish species that we would be catching are turning to more winter species. Some lovely whiting to 32cm along with codling, dabs, pouting and congers; there is never a dull moment on the bay.
Next outings
Winter League
Next Mariners winter league outing will take place this Friday evening 30th November on Mullaghmore beach which will be sheltered away. Fishing from 19.30pm – 23.30pm. All welcome to fish
Charity Open Beach Competition
Mariners will be hosting a fundraising event in aid of Killybegs Community hospital patient’s comfort fund. An open to all beach competition on Rossnowlagh beach Saturday December 15th fishing from 13.30pm – 17.30pm (check in from 12.30pm – 13.15pm) Entry is €20 for seniors and €5 Juniors (€20 to enter for the overall main prize) which includes longest fish prizes and two zones that are pegged. Many thanks to the sponsors who donated prizes a Tubertini rod from Shannon tackle Jamestown, beach rods and reels plus tackle box from Mooney Boats in Killybegs, full suit FishComm wet gear from FishComm Ltd Killybegs plus a €180 voucher for western strands hotel Belmullet from Cormac Burke of FishComm Ltd, assorted coloured leads from Scottie’s lead weights Killybegs plus many more prizes. Please come out and support this great service to the community of South West Donegal.
Mariners sea angling club Killybegs Co Donegal. The club runs a shore league and boat comps and angling trips around Ireland doing the sport we love. Get in touch at www.facebook.com/mariner.sac
