In the late 1980s and early 1990s the sea trout stocks in the rivers of Connemara collapsed. As the Deputy will be aware this has been attributed, among anglers and other stakeholders, to sea lice from marine salmon farms. The collapse of the sea trout stocks was seen in terms of adult breeding fish as well as the annual summer small ‘finnock’.
I am advised by IFI that in certain recent years there has been a slight recovery in sea trout numbers but this has primarily been in summer finnock returning to the fisheries. Unfortunately these do not contribute in any significant way to the egg deposition in the fishery and larger more mature fish are required to contribute in any meaningful way to the spawning stock of the fishery.
IFI further advise that there is an indication of improved sea trout runs in western fisheries in 2012. The overall reported sea trout rod catch in the Connemara and Ballinakill Districts rose to 3,573 sea trout, the highest reported catch since 2008. Higher catches were made over the 1998-2001 period and catch levels have shown a fluctuating pattern since the collapse in the late 1980’s.
While there is some indication of improved catches in 2012, catch levels, and most likely overall population structure, have not returned to anything close to pre-collapse levels. The latest scientific advice is that the recovery in the crucial adult breeding population and the key fish driving the stocks has not occurred. These key fish would have gone to the sea over several different years or remained in the sea over winter and have grown to a size capable of producing a significant number of eggs to contribute towards the future of the stocks.
The adult stocks of sea trout have not recovered and consequently the conservation imperative overrides any desire to recommence angling involving the killing of fish. In this regard the longer term trends in stock health and numbers is taken to determine conservation strategies. The ban on the killing of sea trout remains in place as a strategic reality based on the need to recover the stock.
I would advise the Deputy that the Lough Inagh Fishery to which he refers produced 2,000 sea trout retained by rod and line prior to the collapse. Similar catches were taken downstream at Ballynahinch Castle. This was indicative of in the region of 20,000 sea trout returning to the system each year. The stocks have not recovered to anywhere near this level and the adult breeding fish stocks remain very low.
It will only be after a sustained recovery in the larger year classes of fish that any changes in the regulations could be responsibly contemplated. The continued ban on killing sea trout in these districts will contribute significantly to the recovery of stocks.
