Reports coming in of farmed salmon caught on Owenmore River which is over 70 km from Killary within seven days. Is this fish from Killary or has there been another escape?

Escapee salmon from Rosroe salmon farm in Killary have migrated long distances over the last ten days. These fish which have compromised genetics and may in time breed with wild salmon should at all costs be removed by any means possible. These fish have been caught both in the sea by anglers fishing for mackerel but more alarmingly have entered rivers both within Killary Harbour and further afield. Some have traveled over 25km north to the Bunowen and south as far as the Dawros system. These fish are being caught in these systems by anglers and should immediately be killed and reported to Inland Fisheries Ireland. 

The operator of the farm has suggested that these fish may not mature until 2025 but little is known of how they develop when released into the wild and thus may pose a risk this spawning season. There are many small rivers with unique genetic salmon populations and these are at high risk of damage by escapees through interbreeding. Disease may also pose a risk to all wild salmonids both near and far. 

There is every risk that the escapee salmon will continue to migrate and pose a risk to populations along the western sea board. There are a number of rivers within the area which are part of conservation areas which have wild Atlantic salmon as a qualifying interest and this highlights the unacceptable risk posed by open cage farming. There is no safe way to protect wild salmon if these farms are not moved onto land.