Just three or four in 100 wild salmon return to Irish waters

Apr 30th, 2019 by Keith Worrall 265

Modified Apr 30th, 2019 at 2:39 PM

Ireland is experiencing a parallel decline in wild salmon as Scotland, where numbers caught are at their lowest since records were first compiled, according to chief executive of Inland Fisheries Ireland Dr Ciarán Byrne.

Numbers of the fish here peaked in the mid-1970s, when about 1.7 million returned. Today returns are estimated at some 200,000. The reported catch is between 28,000 and 30,000, confirmed Dr Byrne, with 8,000 caught commercially and the rest from recreational angling. “We are deeply concerned about salmon abundance levels,” he said.

Numbers of wild salmon in Ireland peaked in the mid-1970s, when about 1.7 million returned. Today returns are estimated at some 200,000. File photograph: iStockPhoto

Just three or four in 100 wild salmon return to Irish waters

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