Latest news with #InlandFisheriesIreland
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Threat to wild salmon as sea lice show resistance to chemical used to protect fish
The threat to wild salmon from sea lice could be worse than feared as a new study shows the parasite is building up resistance to the chemical used in fish farming pens to tackle it. Campaigners also believe emamectin benzoate – known as Slice – is leaking out and causing environmental damage and want the toxic compound banned. However, despite these concerns, the Scottish Government last year extended its use in Scottish waters to 2028. Now the Irish government has sounded a warning that Slice is becoming less effective in killing the lice that infest fish farms. New research shows young wild salmon passing coastal fish farms on their migratory routes are increasingly falling prey to lice coming out of pens. The report by the Inland Fisheries Ireland agency is based on almost 20 years of tagging wild salmon. It concludes: 'Results of the present analysis provide clear evidence of significantly reduced return of adult salmon linked to salmon lice infestation from salmon farms. Data also suggests the effects of lice from salmon farms on wild stocks are underestimated because of growing resistance to Slice.' Slice can damage human DNA, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has found it leaking from fish farm pens and harming sea life. Campaign group WildFish Scotland said the latest study's conclusions are 'exactly what we have been saying for years'. Interim director Andrew Graham-Stewart added: 'Successive Scottish Governments have enabled the salmon farming industry to expand rapidly without meaningful safeguards to protect the environment and wild salmon. It is permitted to use a host of highly toxic chemicals, including Slice, for the treatment of parasites and diseases. 'However, regulatory change has seen substantial watering down and delay, in response to heavy lobbying of Scottish ministers by the major salmon farming companies in Scotland. 'Make no mistake, this industry, as it is currently run, is driving many wild Atlantic salmon sub-populations inexorably towards extinction.' The ruling allowing the industry to continue using Slice came shortly after industry body Salmon Scotland treated Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon and her husband Baptiste to hospitality worth £1,500 as guests of chief executive Tavish Scott at Scotland's Six Nations rugby clash against France in February last year. There is no note of what was discussed but the Scottish Government has repeatedly stated that the Slice decision was not Ms Gougeon's to make and it was not discussed at Murrayfield. The industry is worth £760 million to the Scottish economy and employs 2,500 people, but in 2023 a total of 17.4 million fish died prematurely in captivity amid enduring concerns over animal welfare. A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'To protect wild fish, Sepa introduced a new framework to manage the risk of sea lice from fish farms in February 2024.' Salmon Scotland said: 'Fish farmers use Slice as a fully-licensed product, approved by vets and regulators.'
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Science
- RTÉ News
Anglers urged to report sightings of Pacific pink salmon in Irish rivers
Anglers have been urged to report any sightings of Pacific pink salmon in Irish rivers this summer, with experts saying they pose a threat to the survival of the native Atlantic salmon and sea trout. The migratory salmon species have appeared in unprecedented numbers in the country's river systems in recent years, especially in the south west, west and north west. They are described as being blue/green to steel blue on the back, with silver sides and a white underbelly. They also have number of distinguishing features, including large black oval spots on the tail. "The potential presence of large numbers of this non-native species pose a competitive and disruptive threat to the survival of native Atlantic salmon and sea trout," said Dr Michael Millane of the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). "They pose a threat to estuarine and coastal marine fish species and the ecosystems they depend on. "We are appealing to anglers and other water users to quickly contact us regarding any encounters they have with pink salmon. "As these fish die after spawning, some dead specimens could also be seen along our rivers". The salmon are a migratory species native to river systems in the northern Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean. There are established populations in northern Norway and in northwest Russia, originating from stocking programmes undertaken in this part of Russia between the 1950s and 2001.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Times
Ireland weather: Met Éireann issues thunderstorm warning for 19 counties on Tuesday
Met Éireann has extended a thunderstorm warning to 19 counties on Tuesday. The status yellow warning covers counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway and Roscommon. The advisory will be in effect until 8pm, with the forecaster saying there could be spot flooding and lightning damage. Met Éireann's Gerry Murphy said cooler and wetter weather is on the way after a prolonged dry spell. READ MORE He said Tuesday would start off mainly dry, with showers spreading from the south throughout the day. Rain or drizzle will develop in the southwest in the evening and outbreaks of rain will develop across the southern half of the country. Two of the State's main salmon fisheries have meanwhile been closed due to increased water temperatures brought on by the recent spell of warm weather. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) made the decision regarding the Moy and Erriff river fisheries in Co Mayo after water temperatures reached 20 degrees at the weekend. The authority said fish deaths dramatically increase in such conditions despite anglers practising catch and release fishing. Three further State-owned fisheries – Galway (between the city and Lough Corrib), Cloongee (Co Mayo), and Ballyvarry (Co Mayo) – are being monitored closely and may be closed. The authority said the decision was guided by scientific advice and any anglers with bookings would be contacted, but it was not possible to say when the fisheries would reopen. The hot and dry spell has seen water levels drop across most inland waterways with the result that water heats up very quickly putting fish under thermal stress. Looking ahead, Mr Murphy said Wednesday would be a mainly dry day with the return of good sunshine and just a chance of one or two isolated showers. Highest temperatures from most areas will range between 18 and 22 degrees. 'Thursday will be largely dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells, and perhaps one or two light showers,' he added. Friday will start off dry with sunny spells, but will tend to become cloudier from the west during the day bringing some further wet weather. Saturday will see rain clearing to the east with scattered showers following. 'But it is going to be cooler at that stage with temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees and moderate to fresh, gusty, westerly winds and we will see further scattered showers across the country on Sunday,' Mr Murphy said.
BreakingNews.ie
20-05-2025
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Galway Fishery closed due to high water temperatures
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is notifying anglers of the closure of the Galway Fishery due to high water temperatures. The fishery on the Corrib River in Galway closed to all angling on Tuesday, May 20th, and until further notice. Advertisement Two other fisheries managed by IFI, the Erriff Fishery and the Moy Fishery, are also closed because of elevated water temperatures. IFI recorded water temperatures of above 20 degrees Celsius at the Galway Fishery twice in the past 24 hours and it has closed the fishery to protect fish "from potentially lethal stress". IFI is guided by scientific advice that indicates a dramatic increase in angling-related mortalities at temperatures above 20 degrees. The fishery will reopen once temperatures return to levels where fish will not be thermally stressed, and is conditional on at least two successive water temperature readings of less than 18 degrees Celsius. Advertisement Anglers with bookings affected by the closure will be contacted by IFI. Anglers with season permits for the high bank and OPW beats on the Corrib River in Galway will also be affected by the closure, and fishing must cease until the fishery reopens IFI said anglers should contact the Galway Fishery for the latest advice before travelling on 091 562388 or galwayfishery@ Other fisheries managed by IFI have also recorded high temperatures, and anglers are encouraged to contact IFI via the details below for the latest update. Cloongee Fishery: 096 21332, moyfishery@ Ballyvary Fishery: 096 21332, moyfishery@ IFI urges the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, illegal fishing, or water pollution to IFI's confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Times
Ireland weather: Met Éireann issues thunderstorm warning for 10 counties on Tuesday
Met Éireann has issued a weather warning for 10 counties set to be hit by thunderstorms on Tuesday. The status yellow warning covers counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Galway. The advisory will be in effect from 11am on Tuesday until 8pm, with the forecaster saying there could be spot flooding and lightning damage. Met Éireann's Gerry Murphy said cooler and wetter weather is on the way after a prolonged dry spell. READ MORE He said Tuesday would start off mainly dry but 'through the morning showers will develop over much of the southern half of the country'. He said these would extend further north in the afternoon 'and become more widespread'. Rain or drizzle will develop in the southwest in the evening and outbreaks of rain will develop across the southern half of the country. Two of the State's main salmon fisheries have been closed due to increased water temperatures brought on by the recent spell of warm weather. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) made the decision regarding the Moy and Erriff river fisheries in Co Mayo after water temperatures reached 20 degrees at the weekend. The authority said fish deaths dramatically increase in such conditions despite anglers practising catch and release fishing. Three further State-owned fisheries – Galway (between the city and Lough Corrib), Cloongee (Co Mayo), and Ballyvarry (Co Mayo) – are being monitored closely and may be closed. The authority said the decision guided by scientific advice and that any anglers with bookings would be contacted, but it was not possible say when the fisheries would reopen. The hot and dry spell has seen water levels drop across most inland waterways with the result that water heats up very quickly putting fish under thermal stress. Looking ahead, Mr Murphy said Wednesday would be a mainly dry day with the return of good sunshine and just a chance of one or two isolated showers. Highest temperatures from most areas will range between 18 and 22 degrees. 'Thursday will be largely dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells, and perhaps one or two light showers,' he added. Friday will start off dry with sunny spells, but it will tend to become cloudier from the west during the day bringing some further wet weather. Saturday will see rain clearing to the east with scattered showers following. 'But it is going to be cooler at that stage with temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees and moderate to fresh, gusty, westerly winds and we see further scattered showers across the country on Sunday,' Mr Murphy said.
