Conservation Measures for the Management of the Wild Salmon Fishery in 2008
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Eamon Ryan, T.D., has made a number of regulations, bye-laws and orders which provide for, inter alia, the conservation and management of the wild salmon fishery in 2008. This legislation reflects the scientific advice and compliance with international and EU obligations.
The details of the statutory instruments providing for the conservation and management measures are as follows:-
The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for 2008 
The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations provide for, among other things, the quotas of fish that can be harvested by commercial fishing engines and rod and line from those rivers identified in Schedule 2. The Regulations also provide for the use of brown tags in specified rivers which are identified in Schedule 4.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No. 829, 2007 (Bag limit).
The existing annual bag limit of 10 fish per angler for the 2008 season continues in rivers identified as being above their Conservation Limits. This Bye-Law provides for a season bag limit of 3 fish in the period 1 Jan to 11 May, a daily bag limit of 3 fish from 12 May to 31 August and a daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season. The Bye-law also provides for the use of single barbless hooks and prohibits the use of worms as bait once the specified number of fish have been caught in the specified periods.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No. 830, 2007(Catch & Release)
This Bye-Law specifies the rivers in which angling is committed on a catch and release basis only and associated conditions.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No. C.S. 293, 2007 (Closed Rivers).
This Bye-law prohibits angling for salmon and sea trout in specified rivers that are below their conservation limits.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No. 831, 2007 (North Western Fisheries Region) C&R for spring fish & bag limit).
This Bye-Law restricts angling to catch and release in respect of Salmon and Sea Trout (over 40 cm) in the Newport River (Lough Beltra) and Garavogue River (Lough Gill and River Bonnet) during the period 1 January to 11 May in order to protect spring fish.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No. 832, 2007 River Slaney.
This Bye-Law restricts angling to catch and release for salmon and all sea trout in the River Slaney.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No. C.S. 294, 2007 River Liffey.
This Bye-law prohibits angling for salmon and all sea trout in the River Liffey.
Inland Fisheries (Fixed Payment Notice) Regulations 2007
These Regulations modifies the system of on the spot fines in the inland fisheries administered by the regional fisheries boards.
Fisheries (Commercial Fishing Licences) (Alteration of Duties) Order 2007
This Order prescribes the licence fees payable from 1 January 2008 in respect of salmon commercial fishing licences. The licence fees payable include a salmon conservation component equivalent to 50% of the licence fee, the proceeds of which will be invested in rehabilitation initiatives for wild salmon stocks and habitats.
Special Tidal Waters (Special Local Licences) (Alteration of Duties) Order 2007
This Order prescribes the licence fees payable from 1 January 2008 in respect of special local salmon fishing licences. The licence fees payable include a salmon conservation component equivalent to 50% of the licence fee, the proceeds of which will be invested in rehabilitation initiatives for wild salmon stocks and habitats.
Salmon Rod Ordinary Licences (Alteration of Duties ) Order 2007
This Order prescribes the licence fees payable from 1 January 2008 in respect of salmon rod ordinary fishing licences. The licence fees payable include a salmon conservation levy equivalent to 50% of the licence fee, the proceeds of which will be invested in rehabilitation initiatives for wild salmon stocks and habitats.
Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007
This Order provides for the postponement of elections to the Regional Fisheries Boards until 2008.