Ireland launches consultation as wild salmon stocks fall 80%

Wild Atlantic salmon stocks in Ireland have experienced a serious and sustained decline, falling from over one million annual returns in the 1970s to fewer than 200,000 in recent years. A review conducted by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) at the request of Minister of State Timmy Dooley highlights the severity of the situation, noting that the species is globally classified as “near threatened.”

In response, Minister Dooley has launched a public consultation to inform future conservation, management, and recovery efforts. The consultation, which closes on October 30th, aims to shape arrangements for the 2027 fishing season.

Proposed precautionary measures to manage salmon exploitation include: • Implementing more cautious thresholds for determining if river stocks can support harvesting. • Introducing catch-and-release angling on rivers that might otherwise be closed to fishing. • Shortening the permitted period for recreational harvesting. • Reducing recreational bag limits. • Providing additional protections for larger salmon. • Strengthening monitoring and scientific data collection for catch-and-release fishing.