Issue of carcass tags for Salmon and Sea Trout in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas
01 March 2012
Given the recent indications from the International Scientific community regarding the severe decline in marine survival of Atlantic Salmon, supported by hard evidence from Salmon index rivers and adult fish counting stations, Loughs Agency have decided that initially only 1 blue and 2 black carcass tags will be issued to anglers with their Foyle and Carlingford Areas Game Angling Licence.
Loughs Agency supports and echoes the request from the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure to all anglers to practice “catch and release” methods for Salmon and sea trout and for commercial fishermen not to kill Atlantic Salmon. The Agency are pleased to report that many individual anglers and some angling clubs in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas have already adopted voluntary “catch and release” angling.
The Loughs Agency fully recognises its responsibility to comply with European Union Habitats Directive and to continue to protect the salmon of River Finn Special Area of Conservation. To ensure such compliance, the Loughs Agency Chief Executive Officer , under the authority of the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) Regulations 2010, has made a “declaration” based on the River Finn fish counter, which will make the River Finn a “catch and release” angling water for the 2012 season and suspend the downstream commercial salmon fisheries.