I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
Salmon stocks in each of Ireland’s more than 140 salmon rivers are assessed annually by the independent Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) based on each rivers conservation limit (CL) - the number of adult spawning salmon required to ensure a healthy stock above safe biological limits. These assessments support Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) management advice to my Department.
Harvest is only facilitated on estuaries, where each contributing river simultaneously exceeds CL. An annual specific risk assessment is undertaken for each potential common estuary fishery, including Castlemaine and Cork harbour. A higher CL is applied to the estuary rather than simply aggregating individual river CLs. Where this common estuary higher CL is exceeded harvest is advised.
A pilot fishery conducted in Castlemaine in 2010 underpinned genetic analysis of the river stocks contributing to the fishery. IFI advise that results showed the fishery almost exclusively exploited salmon from 3 rivers (Caragh, Laune/Cottoners and Maine), all of which have been exceeding CL since 2011. The total surplus for the three rivers combined is also reduced in the annual common estuary analysis to ensure that each river can meet CL simultaneously.
IFI further advise that the results of catchment wide electro-fishing, for TEGOS assessments, show that juvenile salmon production in the Maine is consistently amongst the highest in the country. The most recent results show a catchment-wide average of fry of double the minimum threshold indicative of a healthy spawning stock.
IFI has established district fishery committees, including angling and commercial representatives, and the available total allowable catch for each sector is determined, as far as possible, by local agreement.
TEGOS recommended a surplus for harvest in Castlemaine Harbour and associated catchments for 2023 with no undue negative impact on the conservation status and sustainability of contributory river stocks. IFI based management advice to my Department on this recommendation. This was given legal effect in the annual Wild Salmon and Seatrout Tagging Scheme Regulations, effective from 1 January last. The status of all salmon stocks will again undergo scientific assessment and management advice later this year in advance of the 2024 season.
In the time available for reply, it has not been possible to collate the equivalent detailed data relating to Cork Harbour but I undertake to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter at the earliest opportunity.
