Save our Salmon Runs - Stop the Irish Drift Nets Now!

Irish drift nets intercept adult salmon bound for Wales, England, Germany, France and Spain as well as Ireland. Some 500,000 salmon caught in Irish drift nets over the last three years. The number of spawning fish returning to their home rivers is now below the minimum needed to ensure the salmon's survival. EU has declared it a "threatened species" and has given statutory protection under the binding and powerful "Habitats Directive".

Yet -Ireland is the ONLY country that still allows wholesale drift net fishing for mixed stocks of Atlantic salmon.

These facts speak for themselves. The scandal is that the Irish government, despite international pressure from the highest level, remains deaf to reason and continues to promote drift netting. This year, two netting Districts in Bangor and Waterford are actually experimenting with an extension to the netting season, despite further restrictions on the numbers of salmon that anglers may retain.

To highlight the devastating effect to our native Atlantic salmon caused by this government-led calamity, and to increase international pressure on the Irish government to abolish with unsustainable plunder, the Salmon & Trout Association - in partnership with South West Rivers Association, Carmarthenshire Fishermens Federation and Seiont, Gwyrfai and Llyfni Angling Association - sponsored a series of public meetings in April in the south-west and Wales. Principal speaker was Niall Greene, chairman of the "Stop Drift Nets Now" Irish lobby group.

To arrange media interviews with Niall Greene when he is in England and
Wales call Graeme Harris on 01874 730 321.

Salmon & Trout Association
Telephone. 0207 283 5838
Email. carmel@salmon-trout.org> carmel@salmon-trout.org
www.salmon-trout.org