IFI issues alert over Pacific pink salmon in Irish rivers
Inland Fisheries Ireland is urging anglers to report any sightings of Pacific pink salmon in Irish rivers this summer.
The fish appeared in unprecedented numbers in multiple river systems in Ireland’s southwest, west and northwest in previous years
The salmon species predominantly has a two-year lifecycle, and may reappear in rivers this year, and every second, so called 'odd', year thereafter.
Commenting, Dr Michael Millane, Senior Research Officer at IFI said: "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. "They also 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 please regarding any encounters they have with pink salmon"
