Weekly Update 04 January 2025

Welcome to 2025 from Salmon Watch Ireland. We will be publishing our annual look back at all things wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout in the coming weeks. We hope you will find it interesting and that 2025 will see some progress on many issues to be highlighted. We understand that many catchments did see some improvement in grilse stocks but that multi sea winter salmon stocks were to say the least very disappointing.  The same man made issues persist with salmon farming and water quality high on the suspect list pertaining to survival. However the most pressing issues (many beyond our control) are at sea but we all can play our part in allowing more salmon spawn in 2025. The spectre of climate related warming of the seas on the southwestern coast of Ireland is certainly being felt by the salmon farming industry. There are two salmon farms presently operating in Kenmare Bay. The mortality of farmed salmon on both these farms is to say the least extraordinary. Our recent submission throws some light on the extent of mortalities. Deenish Island and Inishfarnard. The total mortality figures contained in the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) reports note exceptional rates of up to 45.8%  and 46.9% on Deenish and Inishfarnard respectively which obviously demonstrate a substantial animal welfare issue at the site. While environmental challenges exist presently due to higher water temperatures it is abundantly clear that this will only get worse as climatic conditions deteriorate. Harmful algal blooms, sea lice and jellyfish infestation will only be amplified by declining marine conditions. The total mortality figures reported by MOWI to ASC were as follows for Deenish: production cycle 2013 (36.4%), 2015 (45.8%), 2017 (23.9%), 2019 (28.9%) and 2021 (32.2%) This is well above the figures reported in Scotland and Norway. The mortality rate on Inishfarnard has fluctuated widely with the 2014 cycle (46.19%), 2016 (12.3%), 2018 (unknown), 2020 (44.1%). The many causes of mortality include Pancreas Disease , Amoebic Gill Disease, Sea Lice Damage, Early Maturation, Jellyfish, Harmful Algal Blooms.  This could in all probability be in the region of up to a two million farmed salmon mortalities in the last decade. A question to be asked is how do these mortality figures affect wild salmonids. Moribund fish on the farms are certainly more at risk of parasitic infestation while also being affected by the causative agents which cause amoebic gill disease.       It is believed that sea trout due to their near coastal residence are prone to AGD and repeat infestation by sea lice from these farms. It is worth noting that sea trout angling returns fell from over 500 seatrout(over 40cm) in 2009 to a low of 81 fish in 2022 in the Waterville fishery. The 2009 figure was coincidently the year before the salmon farms reopened after a fallowing period since 2005. The table from Burishoole demonstrates how a sea trout population is effectively eradicated. No explanation from the Marine Institute as to the cause. Coincided with the salmon farm industry opening and expanding in Clew Bay in the 1980's.   Exploitation 2025 While the angling community has been steadfast in their approach to conservation we are disappointed that the recent Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging regulations did not take our views onboard concerning both commercial and recreational exploitation. We do know that Inland Fisheries Ireland do agree that there needs to be a more proactive approach to the management of exploitation and that stocks should primarily be managed for conservation. This does not mean that exploitation cannot be allowed but a more nuanced approach is required to conserve the larger fish which after all are the drivers of population going forward. We are again asking the angling community to voluntarily restrict their harvesting of salmon.         Our submission included the following points which we will again be discussing with Inland Fisheries Ireland going forward. We strongly assert that there needs to be a substantial re-examination of the data which undermines the provision of scientific advice in regard to the attainment of conservation limits especially where data is derived from recreational angling returns. The usage of non—return of licences as a means to determine unreported catches is not desirable or is the usage of this data justified to raise catches. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that this data is not accurate. We again would strongly suggest that real time reporting of catches be facilitated through an online portal. This should be an immediate priority even without the provision of the promised digital licencing system. The electro-fishing programme must be expanded substantially both in catchment area, increased regularity, and number of catchments in order to give more robust data in facilitating stock analysis. There is certainly a case for citizen science playing a part in process with training being given by Inland Fisheries Ireland. While the actual electro fishing activity is a highly skilled process it should be possible to include stakeholder groups to carry out certain tasks associated with the fishery and free up numbers of staff to expand the geographic range of the annual program.     In regard to exploitation, we would suggest the following for the recreational sector: • As MSW salmon are the most important fish to protect it is essential that more stringent limits apply. It is our opinion that one salmon per angler in the period up to 11 May 2025 should be introduced. • A maximum size limit should be introduced outside this period to protect MSW fish. We suggest a 65cm limit. • A limit of one fish per day should be introduced from 12 May to end of August. • Harvesting of salmon in September should not be facilitated. • All angling should be carried out with catch and release to the forefront which suggests that methods should be restricted which give salmon best chance of survival. Single / Double Barbless hooks etc. • The provision of ten tags to anglers is certainly not desirable considering the dramatic decline in stocks. We suggest this number be reduced. • With regard to commercial salmon exploitation, it is our contention that a commercial fishery moratorium be considered as an interim measure. An immediate examination on how to eliminate the commercial harvest of salmon should be examined with public netting licences to be time limited by way of government order (Similar to net limitation order in UK). The purchase of private netting interests should proceed without delay. If a commercial fishery is to be prosecuted in 2025 it is our contention that season should be from 01 June to 31 July. The month of May should be excluded as it is predominantly MSW fish that are harvested. Consideration should also be given to manage salmon fisheries during periods of low water and/or warm water temperatures. Closure of fisheries both commercial and recreational must be vested in local management and all fishing should cease.