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Salmon Watch Ireland Newsletter Number 33- 27 February 2026 Freshwater Survival Newsletter
This edition focuses on one of the most important, and often underestimated, stages in the salmon life cycle — freshwater survival before ocean entry. Drawing on long-term Irish research from systems such as the River Bush, Burrishoole, River Erriff, and southern rivers, the newsletter outlines: Evidence that significant mortality occurs during downstream migration The impact of low-flow, warm spring conditions on smolt survival The importance of discharge timing and spring freshets Increased risks associated with long estuaries How freshwater stress can compound with marine parasite pressures The critical role of genetic integrity and environmental stability The consistent message from Irish datasets is clear: freshwater conditions are not neutral — they strongly shape marine survival outcomes. We also introduce Hydronet, a comprehensive river data resource covering water height and temperature, which may be of interest to anyone examining historical or current river conditions. Freshwater survival is one of the most manageable stages in the salmon lifecycle, and protecting natural flow regimes, limiting abstraction during migration, maintaining connectivity, and reducing thermal stress can all make a measurable difference. I hope you find this edition informative and useful. As always, we welcome feedback and discussion Newsletter Number 33 - Freshwater Migration
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Pelagic Fisheries and Salmon
We are pleased to share Newsletter 32 (19 February 2026) from Salmon Watch Ireland, focusing on emerging evidence of Atlantic salmon bycatch in pelagic fisheries of the Nordic Seas. This edition highlights: Documented salmon catches during the International Ecosystem Summer Survey in the Nordic Seas (IESSNS), including 126 salmon recorded in 2025 surface trawls. Growing international policy attention, with Atlantic salmon formally added to the ICES list of species of bycatch relevance. The westward expansion of mackerel fisheries since 2005–2007 and the implications for salmon during critical marine feeding migrations. Concerns regarding the blue whiting fishery around the Faroe Islands during the March–April period. Reflections on improved salmon size and returns in 2020 during reduced pelagic fishing effort, and what this may (and may not) indicate. The evidence demonstrates clear spatial overlap between offshore pelagic fisheries and salmon during key marine phases. While comprehensive North Atlantic bycatch estimates remain unavailable, systematic reporting is now being formalised — an important step forward. Our policy position is straightforward: improved monitoring, mandatory and standardised reporting, genetic identification of any salmon caught, and greater integration of ecosystem and fisheries data are essential to ensure pelagic fisheries do not contribute avoidable additional mortality to vulnerable salmon stocks. Our aim remains unchanged: to keep all interested parties informed so that responsible, evidence-based conservation can take place. This is a space for constructive contribution and shared understanding. Above all, our collective objective is clear — more salmon reaching their spawning grounds, not fewer. Thank you for your continued support. Newsletter Number 32 - Feb 20 2026
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A changing ecosystem – The decline of Atlantic salmon
In this issue, we introduce recent peer-reviewed scientific research that provides important insight into the continuing decline of Atlantic salmon at sea. While much attention has focused on rivers, the evidence increasingly shows that the greatest losses are occurring in the marine environment — particularly in the critical early weeks after young salmon enter the ocean. Three recent studies point to a major ecosystem shift in the Northeast Atlantic around 2005, with long-term declines in plankton productivity and marine energy availability. The findings suggest that reduced food availability — rather than simple temperature “shock” — is now a key driver of lower growth and survival. The implications are significant. If marine productivity remains depressed, recovery to historic salmon abundance will be extremely difficult without addressing every avoidable human pressure, both at sea and in coastal waters. This newsletter summarises the headline findings and provides links to the three scientific papers. We hope you find it informative and, as always, we welcome your feedback and continued support. Newsletter Number 31 - 10 Feb 2026
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Newsletter Number 30 – 07Feb 2025
Salmon Watch Ireland response to updated draft tagging regulations Salmon Watch Ireland acknowledges that the updated draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2026 include measures that continue to provide important protection for spring salmon, particularly through the retention of strict controls outside the main summer harvest period. The organisation recognises the importance of safeguarding early running fish, which remain under pressure in many river systems. However, Salmon Watch Ireland is concerned by several elements of the revised draft, particularly where changes represent a reduction in precaution compared with the previous draft regulations. 2026
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Newsletter Number 29 – 30 January 2025
The newsletter opens with an overview of a recent Canadian federal court ruling on salmon aquaculture, which confirmed the right of governments to act decisively and precautionarily in defence of wild salmon, even where such decisions carry significant economic consequences. This case provides a timely and relevant international context for policy and regulatory decisions now facing Ireland. The article then turns to domestic matters, including the proposed Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging and Conservation Regulations, the scientific rationale for strengthened probability thresholds at Conservation Limit, the treatment of rivers assessed as having no exploitable surplus, and the implications of departing from established scientific and management advice. It also addresses the management of recreational exploitation, the protection of early-running fish, and Ireland’s obligations under EU conservation and Nature Restoration law. The intention of the newsletter is to contribute constructively to ongoing discussion by setting out the conservation, governance, and legal context in a clear and accessible way, while emphasising the need for evidence-led, precautionary decision-making in the face of continued stock decline. I hope you find it useful and informative, and I look forward to further engagement on these issues.
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Salmon Watch Ireland Newsletter Issue Number 28 – 10 January 2026
Irish Salmon at a Crossroads: What the Latest Science Is Telling Us A series of recent scientific reports paint a clear and concerning picture for Atlantic salmon in Ireland. Taken together, long-term monitoring in rivers and new research on marine ecosystems show that salmon declines are being driven by linked pressures across the entire life cycle, from reduced ocean productivity to chronically low spawning escapement in freshwater.
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Newsletter Number 27 – 16 December 2025 Salmon Watch Ireland
We are writing to share our latest newsletter, which focuses on the urgent need to curtail salmon exploitation and the importance of the tagging measures announced by Inland Fisheries Ireland. The newsletter outlines the biological necessity of maximising the number of salmon reaching the spawning grounds in light of the continued and severe decline in salmon stocks. It highlights why maintaining adequate spawning escapement is fundamental to stock recovery, genetic integrity, and long-term resilience, and why precautionary management measures are essential at this time. We also emphasise that exploitation controls alone are not sufficient. A proactive and coordinated response is required both nationally and internationally to address the many pressures affecting salmon throughout their life cycle. We therefore ask all stakeholders to support the exploitation and tagging measures introduced by Inland Fisheries Ireland as part of a wider effort to safeguard this species. We would like to thank all those who continue to engage constructively and support these necessary actions. Your cooperation is vital to ensuring that enough spawners remain to protect and restore Atlantic salmon populations for the future.
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Newsletter Number 26 – Changing Waters – Why salmon need full system protection more than ever.
We are publishing this newsletter as a result of suggestions that some individuals argue that catch-and-release does little to help revive wild salmon, claiming that broader environmental pressures make angling practices irrelevant. We fundamentally disagree. In rivers that are below their Conservation Limit, every surviving adult is vital to the future of the stock. When marine survival is at historic lows and multiple pressures—warming waters, predation, habitat loss,aquaculture impacts, and bycatch—are already removing fish at every stage of their life cycle, the one thing we can control immediately is exploitation. Catch-and-release is not a cure-all, but it is a crucial, measurable way to ensure more spawners reach the gravel. It is an act of responsibility, restraint, and stewardship—and when stocks are depleted, releasing salmon is one of the most direct contributions an individual can make to the recovery of the species.
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Gearhies Bantry Bay Submission – Salmon Watch Ireland
Salmon Watch Ireland (SWI) submits that aquaculture licences T05/122 and T05/122A cannot lawfully be renewed. The application by Murphy’s Irish Sea Food fails to meet fundamental requirements under the Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive (WFD), EIA Directive, and the Nature Restoration Law, and does not remove the scientific doubt necessary to permit authorisation. Legal Compliance Not Achieved • Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive requires no reasonable scientific doubt of no adverse effects on SACs—this threshold is not met. • Article 6(4) cannot apply: no imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) exist. • Under the WFD, any deterioration of High-Status waters is unlawful outside narrow exceptions that are not invoked here. • Irish case law (Connelly, Kelly, SWI v ALAB) confirms that consent cannot be granted where scientific uncertainty persists. Full Text Here
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Press Release Salmon Watch Ireland – New Conservation Measures
Salmon Watch Ireland Strongly Welcomes 2026 Salmon Protection Measures and Calls for a Fair Transition Away from All Commercial Exploitation 22 November 2025 Atlantic salmon stocks in Ireland have reached critically low levels, and decisive intervention is now essential to ensure that as many fish as possible survive to reach their spawning grounds in the years ahead. The species is caught in a rapidly accelerating decline, with many rivers falling far short of the numbers needed to sustain healthy future populations. Without urgent and meaningful conservation measures, we risk pushing Atlantic salmon toward irreversible collapse. Accordingly, Salmon Watch Ireland welcomes the publication of the 2026 Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations and associated Information Note, commending the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) for taking decisive, science-driven action to protect Ireland’s diminishing wild salmon stocks. Salmon Watch Ireland describes the new framework as one of the most encouraging conservation steps in over a decade, signalling a genuine commitment to reversing long-term decline. A Clear, Science-Led Approach to Salmon Conservation The 2026 regulations introduce some of the strongest salmon conservation measures in recent years, including: Mandatory Catch & Release from 1 January to 31 May, protecting vulnerable spring salmon Harvest only from 1 June to 31 August on rivers with a proven surplus. A seasonal bag limit of three salmon for recreational anglers on rivers with a harvestable surplus. Improved conservation limits (CL) thresholds, aligned with best conservation international practice Expanded protection for multi-sea-winter (MSW) salmon. However, the organisation encourages the Department to keep the situation under review and consider whether a future maximum size limit could help protect the largest, most important spawning fish. Closure to exploitation in September. Closure of significant number of commercial salmon fisheries “These are robust and welcome reforms,” said John Murphy, Salmon Watch Ireland spokesperson. “The Department has shown leadership, transparency, and a real understanding of the pressures facing this iconic species.” Commercial Fisheries: Time for a Fair, Supportive Transition Salmon Watch Ireland notes that a small number of draft-net commercial fisheries, including the Laune Estuary and Cork Harbour, remain technically capable of operating in 2026 based on available stocks. We have sought clarification on the status of one further fishery. This organisation fully respects the heritage and rights of these fishers. However, given sustained declines in national and international salmon returns, Salmon Watch Ireland believes the next constructive step is: A closure of all remaining commercial fisheries Supported by a fair, well-funded compensation and transition scheme This would provide certainty for fishers while aligning Ireland with modern international conservation standards. “Commercial fishers have operated legally. They deserve respect — and proper compensation — as Ireland moves toward a fully conservation-based salmon policy.” A Shared Mission to Restore Wild Salmon Salmon Watch Ireland applauds the direction of travel in the 2026 regulations and urges continued national action on: Water quality improvements Habitat restoration and barrier removal Enhanced enforcement resourcing Addressing climate and marine survival pressures Tackling aquaculture-related impacts “This is the most hopeful moment for salmon conservation in many years,” the spokesperson concluded. “With continued collaboration among stakeholders — and a fair, well-designed transition away from commercial exploitation — Ireland can restore its wild salmon for future generations.”
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