Driven by concerns that compliant rod-and-line anglers are being “disproportionately targeted” by new restrictions within the Lough Corrib and Clare River waterways, Corrib Anglers says proposed regulatory measures for wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout fail to address the real causes of stock decline.
In a detailed submission responding to the latest consultation process, Corbally Angling Club from Corofin, Co Galway has argued that the proposed regulations “fail to address the real underlying reasons for their decline." The group maintains that while conservation is essential, policy must focus on scientifically established drivers rather than imposing further burdens on lawful anglers.
In a statement issued by the club's chairman, Tommy Casserly, the group stated, "Our members are concerned that compliant rod-and-line anglers are being disproportionately targeted by new restrictions, while the primary environmental and governance pressures driving stock decline remain insufficiently addressed."
The Clare River system, which stretches across approximately 1,100 square kilometres from Ballaghaderreen in Co Mayo to its entry point at Lough Corrib near Galway city, plays what the club describes as a “significant social, economic, and ecological role”. It supports angling clubs, tourism, and local businesses, while also providing recognised mental-health and community benefits.
The club warned that “excessively restrictive regulations risk undermining long-established, lawful angling practices,” particularly as weather extremes, fluctuating water levels, and seasonal river conditions already limit fishing opportunities.
Bag limit does little to tackle the real issue
Among the proposed changes is a reduction in the seasonal bag limit from 10 salmon to seven. The club argues this “is unlikely to produce meaningful conservation gains,” stating that responsible anglers already operate conservatively within existing rules. Without enhanced enforcement, it says, new limits primarily affect those already compliant.
Enforcement itself is a key concern for the group. The scale and complexity of the Clare River catchment, with 40 feeder streams, presents what the club describes as “significant enforcement challenges.” Current staffing and patrol resources, they say, do not allow for comprehensive monitoring. “Regulations that cannot be effectively enforced risk inconsistent compliance and diminished public confidence,” the submission stated.
The proposed mandatory catch-and-release period from January 1 to May 31 has also drawn criticism. While intended to protect spring salmon, the club notes that run timing varies significantly across the system. “A blanket system-wide restriction does not reflect these biological and geographical differences,” it said. It further argued that catch-and-release “has inherent limitations” and should be grounded in “robust evidence rather than assumptions".
Corrib Anglers contend that rod-and-line fishing is “not a primary driver of stock decline”. Instead, the submission highlights environmental and management pressures beyond regulated angling, including aquaculture impacts such as sea-lice transfer, disease exposure and genetic dilution, as well as water-quality deterioration from agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge.
Targets falling short
Habitat enhancement targets are also cited as falling short. Inland Fisheries Ireland set an annual target of 26 kilometres of spawning and nursery improvements, but only 10 kilometres were reportedly completed in 2024, according to the submission.
The group also expressed concern over changes in stock assessments between consultations. The first consultation indicated the Corrib system was at approximately 99 per cent of its conservation limit with no surplus, while the second identified a harvestable surplus of 1,162 salmon. “Such a significant revision requires transparent methodological explanation”, the club said, calling for an independent technical review.
While affirming its support for “effective, science-based conservation”, Corbally Angling Club concluded that policy must be “proportionate, evidence-driven, and focused on the primary drivers of decline.” It said it remains committed to working constructively with a transparent and effectively reformed fisheries authority to secure sustainable fish populations for future generations.
