Salmon Conservation Outlined Ahead Of Fishing Season

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has outlined Northern Ireland’s plans for the conservation of salmon stocks.

Ahead of the forthcoming salmon season, the minister has made a statement to the Assembly on measures she will be introducing.

She said: "My Department has consulted widely on salmon conservation and there is a ground swell of opinion among all stakeholders, that additional measures need to be taken to support wild salmon stocks. The changes I am announcing today positively respond to the challenges facing the future of salmon stocks.

"Salmon is an iconic species and we must take all reasonable steps to protect its future whilst also ensuring that angling continues as a past time and tourism draw."

Scientists have confirmed stocks of wild Atlantic are depleting at sea in significant numbers.

Monitoring carried out at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Bushmills Salmon Station shows a decline in salmon returning to the River Bush from around 30% prior to 1997 to less than 5% today.

Ms Ní Chuilín said: "For the 2013 fishing season there will be a continuation and enhancement, by further restricting the issue of carcass tags of the current voluntary conservation measures, to protect wild salmon, including catch and release for recreational anglers and no commercial netting of salmon.

"This will allow me to bring forward legislation for the cessation of commercial salmon fishing and introduce mandatory catch and release for recreational anglers with effect from the 2014 season.

"I believe that the measures are fair, balanced, enforceable and essential in conserving and protecting this iconic species now and for future generations. This approach will position the North at the forefront of salmon conservation policy."

The additional conservation methods will also apply to sea trout, as it is included in the definition of salmon in the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966.

(IT)