ANGLING NOTES:IN A YEAR of mixed messages and successes, Tony Andrews, chief executive of Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) looks back on 2010 with hopes for improved public awareness and positive actions for wild salmon and sea trout.
“On the positive side,” he says, “there were hugely encouraging catch statistics, from the Thurso in Caithness to the Camel in Cornwall. Sea trout abundance continued to improve, with good catches throughout the UK and Ireland, and some big fish (female egg carriers) among them.
“Across the country, anglers took personal responsibility for conservation on the riverbank, with well over 60 per cent of all salmon and a high percentage of sea trout caught and released.
“On the macro-front, reports from the Salsea-merge project indicate we are likely to receive fascinating new data about the lives of salmon at sea, from which practical implications will derive for fishery managers.
“The scientific community is surprised by the quality of new data, and lessons have been learned about the importance of an ecosystem-based, inter-specific, ‘global’ approach to studying the lives of salmon.
“This new approach is likely to have massive implications for the way wild salmon and sea trout are seen as biological and environmental indicator species.
“The Flows Conference and workshop will be followed up by a major initiative, starting in Bangor, North Wales, this month to co-ordinate work on sea trout in situ throughout these islands.
“AST has initiated a new Fellowships Scheme with the first fellow starting work at Exeter University on how climate change is affecting the southern chalk streams, and what the prognosis for the next century will be.
“On the not-so-positive front, salmon aquaculture on the Scottish west coast continues to damage stocks of depleted wild salmon and sea trout. In addition, the irresponsibility of killing salmon and sea trout by mixed stocks netting appears to be actively supported by the Scottish government, despite international pressure to end the practice.
“On both issues AST takes a policy approach in sharp contrast to the appeasement and laissez-faire policies of government and is absolutely clear that mixed stocks netting should cease immediately.
“It is also the belief of AST that salmon aquaculture requires urgent precision management now and that the only sustainable future for salmon aquaculture is in closed containment facilities.
“There are huge challenges ahead and AST needs your help to bring wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout back to our rivers,” Andrews concludes. (atlanticsalmontrust.org)
* The DublinAngling Initiative (DAI) will hold an introductory course on fly fishing at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin, on March 5th.
The course will aim to convey a better understanding of the art of fly fishing to young people and their parents.
Renowned fly-casting instructor Paddy McDonnell (moyflyfishing.com) will coach and demonstrate the necessary approach and techniques required to encourage young people into the sport of angling.
The event is being organised by Des Chew and Josie Mahon of DAI and while a limited number of places are still available, it is essential that children are over 12 and under 16 years of age. For bookings, contact Des at 087-6740214.
Now under new management, the fisheries consist of two four-acre lakes, one with bream, tench, hybrids and carp to specimen weight; the second, complete with angling stands, is stocked with rainbows to 9.1kg (20lb).
Corkagh Park intends to hold a series of summer camps on angling for juniors and to include an introduction into wildlife and biodiversity that abounds in the park (corkaghparkfishery.ie).