Digest of statistics for salmon and inland fisheries

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today published the ‘Digest of statistics for salmon and inland fisheries in the DAERA jurisdiction’.

These statistics give an overview of DAERA’s fisheries sector in Northern Ireland. The latest available data has been drawn together from a number of published and unpublished sources.

Key statistics from the report are summarised below:

• There were 25,779 angling licences and 17,681 DAERA permits sold in 2015.
• 1,120 rod licences and 1,118 permits were checked in the DAERA public angling estate in 2015/16.
• There were approximately 189,000 salmon fry stocked from Bushmills Hatchery to rivers in Northern Ireland in 2015, decreasing to 160,000 in 2016.
• No salmon were caught in commercial nets in 2015.
• The estimated return of wild adult salmon to the River Bush in 2015 was 1,005 and was below the previous 10 year average (2005-2014) of 1,247.
• The 10 year overall eel catch average in Lough Neagh (2006-2015) of 386 tonnes is 33% less than the previous 10 year eel catch average (1996-2005) of 575 tonnes.
• The eel escapement estimate for the Neagh-Bann River Basin District for 2015 was 111 tonnes, falling below the 200 tonnes target.

Further information can be found in the Fisheries Digest report published on the DAERA website.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Fisheries digest report was prepared by Statistics and Analytical Services Branch, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB.

2. The year of data is indicated in each table and figure, with 2016 being the most recent data available. The data may be subject to change at a later date due to revisions.

3. The Fisheries Digest presents findings on the following topics:

• Location of the DAERA Public Angling Estate
• Salmonid conservation
• Eel conservation
• Lake Fish Surveys
• DAERA fish farms and hatchery
• Protection and enforcement
• Licenses and permits
• Demographics of anglers

4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or email DAERA Press Office. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

5. Follow us on Twitter @daera_ni.

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