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.
