Notice to Anglers on Pacific, Pink Salmon

There is an increased likelihood for increased numbers of Pink salmon in the rivers within the DAERA area in 2023.
It is important for anglers to be aware of what to do in the event that they encounter a Pink salmon as most rivers in the DAERA area require anglers to practice catch and release for salmon caught.

Pink or humpback salmon are a migratory species of salmon, native to river systems in the northern Pacific Ocean and adjacent regions of the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean.

Outside of its native range, this invasive species has established self-sustaining populations in rivers in northern Norway and in the far northwest of Russia. These populations are believed to have originated from stocking programmes undertaken in this part of Russia in the second half of the 20th century. The presence of large numbers of this non-native species could negatively affect some of our native species such as Atlantic salmon and sea trout as well as estuarine and coastal marine fish species and their associated ecosystems.

Pink salmon have until 2017 very rarely been recorded in Irish or British waters. During the summer of 2017 increasing incidences of pink salmon were reported from angling catches in the west and north of Ireland and also in Britain.

Pink salmon abundance peaks on alternate years with odd years producing higher numbers.

Identification

Pink salmon resemble Atlantic salmon, Sea trout and other Pacific salmon when freshly returned from the Sea.

Pink salmon differ from Atlantic salmon and can be identified in the following ways;

• Oval spots on the tail fin (caudal fin)
• Black gums and tongue
• Smaller scales
• Maturing Pink salmon develop a humped back

Further information can be accessed via the DAERA guide at https://invasivespeciesni.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NIEA-ID-Guide-ISNI-website-Oncorhynchus-gorbuscha-Pink-SalmonV2.pdf

Where anglers catch Pink salmon in the DAERA area and are confident in the identification then they must;

1. Retain the fish (even on rivers where catch and release is mandatory)
2. Immediately Notify DAERA Inland Fisheries via the 24hr Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60
3. A DAERA Fisheries Officer will contact you and arrange for the fish to be collected or left at a nearby DAERA office.

Note: It is an offence to be in possession of a Salmon outside of existing regulations or by not following the steps outlined above.

In addition to the steps outlined above sightings can be reported via National Museums NI, Centre for Environmental Data and Recording CEDaR website at https://www2.habitas.org.uk/records/ISI or via https://irecord.org.uk/app

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