Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 May 2022
167. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the future of snap net fishing on the river Suir following its closure a number of years ago; and if his Department will engage with fishermen in the area who wish to examine options for the future. [23905/22]
View answerWhile the River Suir has been closed to snap netting for the past few years, the longer term track record shows that the Suir opens and closes on a cyclical basis of foot of annual scientific assessments – rivers are not permanently closed but can only be open to taking and killing salmon if the biological imperatives are met. The trend over recent years in terms of meeting the conservation limit on the Suir is positive. While predictions cannot be definitively made, annual assessments will continue and will inform IFI stock management decisions.
