THE commencement of counting of salmon on the River Maigue at Adare Manor has been welcomed by anglers.
The operation is under the direction of Inland fisheries Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW).
Welcoming the development, Dave Buston, representing anglers on the River Maigue Catchment Management Committee said they have been campaigning for accurate counting of returning adult salmon on the Maigue, particularly since the closure of the salmon fishing some years ago.
“The provision of accurate census data for salmon on the River Maigue is extremely important in the management and conservation of this indigenous species,” said Mr Buston who adds:
“The data will be used by the national salmon Standing Scientific Group, along with other scientific survey data to assess the production capacity of the River Maigue for Atlantic salmon.”
“The salmon counting facility will act as a barometer to measure the positive impacts from co-ordinated management approaches, such as the River Maigue Catchment Management initiative”, says Catchment Management Officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland, Oisin Naughton.
“The new salmon counting facility will involve counting and photographing salmonids by triggering electrodes on the crump of the existing weir at the Manor.”
Provision will be made for all migrating fish species such as elvers and lamprey by the incorporation of bristle mat surfaces and suitable gradient on the edges of the weir.
Tony Brew, regional engineer with the OPW is delighted to facilitate the conservation approach as members of the Maigue Catchment Management group.
“In addition, significant investment through the Capital Enhancement Programme on the Rivers Camogue, Morning Star and Loobagh, shows we are committed to enhancing drained channels and to improving the conservation status for the River Maigue,” he said.,
The Salmon Conservation Fund, which is financing these works, is administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland and the fund is generated from the purchasing of salmon licenses throughout the country. More information on the Salmon Conservation Fund is available at www.inlandfisheriesireland.ie.
