Minister Dooley publishes draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations 2025 for public consultation
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 21 Samhain 2025
Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, today announced the launch of a public consultation on the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2025.
These draft regulations set out the proposed management arrangements for Ireland's wild salmon and sea trout fisheries for the 2026 season, including river-by-river conservation measures. The regulations, which are updated annually and aligned with best available scientific data, provide for a management regime that protects vulnerable stocks, supports habitat recovery and maintains Ireland’s international obligations to conserve migratory fish species.
This consultation is being held in line with the statutory requirement to make the draft regulations available for comment and invite views from all interested parties before final regulations are made.
Announcing the launch, Minister Dooley said:
"The long-term sustainability of our wild salmon and sea trout stocks is my foremost concern, and I am committed to ensuring that our regulatory framework supports their protection.
"The tagging scheme and associated conservation measures are an important conservation tool for managing stocks on a river-by-river basis, guided by the best available scientific advice.
"I welcome the views, feedback, and comments of all stakeholders and members of the public, and I encourage everyone with an interest in these iconic species to participate in this consultation."
The consultation will be open for 30 days, closing at 5.30pm on 20 December.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
- The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme is provided for under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, which empowers the Minister to make regulations for the tagging and tracking of wild salmon and sea trout and related conservation measures
- The Regulations are revised each year taking account of advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland and annual stock assessments by the supporting independent Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS)
- The scheme underpins the sustainable management of Ireland’s wild salmon and sea fisheries by:
- Controlling and monitoring the number of fish harvested
- Ensuring the tagging and recording of fish is retained, and
- Allowing river-specific management based on a scientific assessment of stocks
- These regulations determine the number of rivers open for harvest, open for 'catch and release' or closed for the 2026 season