ANGLING NOTES:THE RECENT development in Wales relating to the survival of Arctic char ( Salvelinus alpinus) has sparked an interesting debate. Once widespread throughout Ireland, their distribution has now declined by at least 30 per cent, according to Dr Fran Igoe, of Irish Char Conservation Group (ICCG).
Dwindling numbers in Llyn Padarn Lake, Llanberis, North Wales, has caused concern for their future. In an effort to reverse the trend, Environment Agency Wales extracted fertilised eggs from char on their way to spawn in deep lakes and transferred the eggs to a local hatchery.
The agency hopes to release these fish to a suitable lake later this year to establish a reserve population. This, in effect, means if char disappear completely from Llyn Padarn the species could be reintroduced, if conditions permit.
The history of Arctic char in Ireland dates back to the last Ice Age, at least 18,000 years ago. During this cold period, char probably survived in a glacial refuges out from mainland Ireland, according to Igoe.
While char still exist west of the Shannon, in loughs such as Eske, Inagh and the Killarney Lakes, the ICCG has accepted that the species has become extinct in Loughs Tay, Dan and Glendalough, in Co Wicklow.
This problem is compounded by the fact that the Wicklow char were unique and given a separate classification (Salvelinus obtusus) or “blunt nosed char” because of their stubby nose, by taxonomist Tate Regan in 1909.
Once in abundance, particularly in Lough Dan during the 19th and 20th centuries, by the late 1980s it became apparent stocks had fallen dramatically. The last authenticated specimen was lodged in the Natural History Museum in 1988.
Tom Molyneux, from Bray, Co Wicklow, has fished Lough Dan since the mid-1950s. On one occasion, his friend, Robert J Gibson, caught an arctic char there. Molyneux says the lake may still contain char, as it is 120ft deep opposite the Lough Tay tributary.
In 1994, the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board set floating and sunken gill nets, and a small number of fyke nets in shallow water. More than 1,900m of various mesh sizes were set. Although 361 brown trout were caught, no char were taken.
“Acidification from a range of sources appears to have resulted in conditions inimical to survival of char in these loughs,” Igoe said. However, on a brighter note, recent observations show signs of recovery. Re-establishing the species is a possibility.
Should it be determined that lough conditions are suitable for restocking, then the question of determining the appropriate brook stock is very important.
Wicklow char are of the obtusus strain, and the ICCG has found similarities between the stock in Lough Accose and the Killarney loughs.
Any strategy to reintroduce the species must follow a logical framework or will fail. The current EU Water Framework Directive requires member states to restore waters to good ecological status. “This means the re-establishment of Arctic char in Wicklow is a legal imperative for Ireland,” Igoe concluded.
* The TolkaRiver in Dublin was a hive of activity on St Patrick's Day, when up to 400 juniors took part in a competition to mark opening day. The event was organised by Tolka Trout Anglers' Association (TTAA) in conjunction with its neighbouring club, Tolka River Environmental Alliance (Trea).
Both clubs have vast catchment areas: Finglas, Cabra, Blanchardstown, Mulhuddart and Corduff, and focus on bringing juniors into angling. Many of the children caught fish and more than 50 received prizes.
Generous sponsorship was received from Joe Devlin, Pet Shop (Finglas), TTAA, Trea and Dublin Angling Initiative.
* Aftertwo months, Annamoe Trout Fishery has now reopened. During early March, lots of over-wintered 2kg rainbows were landed and released. Welsh visitor Hugh Jones caught a 3.6kg trout on a Blood Worm.
Fish numbers are well down and a slow retrieve is essential. For fly-casting tuition, contact Brian Nally at 086-2598563.
- angling@irishtimes.com