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Issue Number 14 – 30 May 2025 Salmon Watch Ireland
This week we deal with the highly anticipated paper by Gargan et al. 2025 which effectively deals a significant blow to the government accepted (Marine Institute) science regarding the impact of sea lice on migrating juvenile salmon. We anticipate that this research can be used to bolster legal challenges into the future especially in regard to Special Areas of Conservation which have Atlantic salmon as a qualifying interest. Indirectly it may also be important when consideration is being given to licence farms where pearl mussels are a qualifying interest. We also highlight work carried out by Don Staniford in regard to exposing organic salmon production in Ireland. Another important aspect this week is our case to have commercial exploitation stopped on the Munster Blackwater. We are concerned that the river has seen a stark and accelerating decline and all exploitation should be reviewed.
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Newsletter Number 13 – 20 May 2025
This newsletter discusses the unique relationship between salmon and pearl mussel. It is in everyone's interest to know the link between these species and how we must keep habitat and water quality in a condition that supports vibrant stocks of both species. We also highlight the recent high temperatures and their potential effect on juvenile salmon. We have also provided a link to the Danish River Skyern and note that a declining trend in catches similar to UK and Ireland appears to be taking place.
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Newsletter Issue Number 12 – 11 May 2025
This newsletter deals with two issues which are of concern to all who support salmon conservation in Ireland. The first topic discusses the recent report from Inland Fisheries Ireland relating to the GeneFlow project which seeks to record the extent of introgression by farmed salmon into Ireland's rivers. The second issue discusses and focusses on the disasterous MSW salmon run in 2025 which follows another poor year in 2024. We are asking that all stakeholders adopt a reasonable approach to safe guard the resource. While the commercial sector is opening on 12th May and is quota restricted, it may be time to restrict fishing periods for these fisheries. We contend that commercial fisheries are not consistent with a proper management of the salmon resource and should be discontinued going forward. We are asking all the angling community to think before exploiting salmon above 65cm and to restrict their harvest.
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