Salmon numbers have taken a jump in Irish rivers this summer

Salmon numbers take a jump in Irish waters

by · The Irish News
Jim Haughey, a director with the Ulster Angling Federation

ANGLERS have reported a leap in Salmon stocks in the north's rivers this summer.

Numbers of the iconic fish has been in sharp decline in Irish rivers in recent years.

However, the king of the river has been making a comeback with anglers reporting a marked increase in the numbers making their way through the north's main waterways this year.

Jim Haughey, who is a director with the Ulster Angling Federation (UAF), said the increase in numbers is noticeable.

“We have had a good run,” he said .

“Everything is relative because stocks were down so far recently, any increase is regarded as good.”

Mr Haughey, who has been a director with the UAF since 1982, said the increased run in local rivers relates mainly to salmon.

He said one reason for the jump in numbers could be linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

“There is one theory that has been doing the rounds - because of Covid-19 restrictions a lot of fishing boats never left port for months on end, not just in Northern Ireland, but further afield,” he said.

“There has been a great reduction in commercial fishing.”

“There's no way to prove that one way or another.”

Mr Haughey said the reason for the increased run could be a combination of factors which may include “natural circumstances that occurred at sea”.

He said the recent good news offers has given the angling community a boost.

“Salmon runs have been very poor lately and everyone is very worried about salmon stocks getting to a point where they might not recover, it's very heartening for everybody,” he said.

“The authorities and anglers have been working hard to protect the salmon.”

He also warned that our waterways remain under threat.

“The big problem is pollution and there really needs to be something done about pollution,” he added.

The increase in stocks in the north has been mirrored across Ireland with the The Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers also reporting a marked increase in salmon stocks returning to Irish rivers across the border.