Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1962

Vol. 193 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Lee Salmon Catches.

74.

Mr. Barrett

asked the Minister for Lands the annual returns of salmon catches from the River Lee for the period 1949 to 1961 inclusive in respect of fish taken by nets and by rods respectively; the reasons, if any, ascribed by his Department for the phenomenal falling-off in catches during the years 1960-61; and to what extent his Department accept the suggestion that the said falling-off is due to the fact that salmon fry are not using the present fish paths provided in the E.S.B. Hydro-Electric Scheme at Inniscarra.

75.

Mr. Barrett

asked the Minister for Lands the value or approximate value of salmon caught respectively by nets and rods on the River Lee for each year during the period 1949 to 1961.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands (Mr. Lenihan)

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together and to give the statistics sought in the form of a tabular statement which will be circulated with the official report.

The statement shows a decline in the catch of salmon in the Lee in recent years but there is as yet no definite evidence available as to the reasons. I have no information to support the suggestion that the decline is due to failure of the fish to use the fish passes in the hydro-electric dams. An intensive investigation of conditions in the river has recently been initiated by my Department in collaboration with the Electricity Supply Board, the Cork Board of Conservators and the Inland Fisheries Trust. This investigation is already in progress and will assemble information on

(1) the fish stocks in the Lee system,

(2) the extent of pike predation on the young of salmon, and

(3) the movements of smolts past the dams.

Following is the statement:—

RIVER LEE SALMON CATCHES.

(Numbers compiled by officers of the Cork Board of Fishery Conservators; values roughly estimated.)

Year	Rod and Line	Nets
Number of salmon	Estimated Value	Number of salmon	Estimated Value
		£		£
1949	790	1,500	7,896	14,900
1950	755	1,600	7,379	18,600
1951	1,185	3,200	15,023	43,100
1952	1,326	3,800	8,844	25,900
1953	989	2,500	8,430	21,800
1954	1,222	3,000	7,310	18,700
1955	907	2,600	6,722	22,100
1956	612	1,600	5,000	14,100
1957	623	1,500	5,447	12,400
1958	816	2,000	3,619	7,200
1959	684	1,600	5,265	11,900
1960	180	600	299	800
1961	66	200	161	400