Atlantic Salmon at a crossroads - Science, Catchments and Road to Recovery

Join us in person for an engaging event all about the future of Atlantic Salmon. Dive into the latest science, explore the critical role of catchments, and discuss the road to recovery for this iconic species. Whether you're a researcher, angler, or just curious, this is a perfect chance to connect and learn!

Info:
This presentation will provide information on the various research activities undertaken in the NSIC River Erriff. This research facility is managed by Inland Fisheries Ireland. It supports a wide range of scientific research and monitoring activities focused on wild salmon and sea trout in order to better inform their sustainable management and understand the threats and pressures they face

Info: The presentation will cover several areas relevant to our knowledge of the impact of
escaping farm salmon on wild salmon populations. These will be, namely, the
science underpinning our understanding of the impacts and risks to the genetic and
biological integrity of recipient wild populations, the nature of the industry in terms of
its magnitude and distribution, the nature of the escapes, the status of populations in
respect to the level of geneflow from the farms nationally and the status of wild
salmon with regard to genetic changes in populations as a result of escapes
internationally. In addition, the presentation will identify the possible additional risks
to the biology of wild fish from escape mediated geneflow from the farms presented
by climate change (global warming) and discuss some opportunities for the reduction
of the risk from escaping salmon posed to wild salmon populations generally.

Info: Hazel King is the programme lead with Inland Fisheries Ireland, where she is responsible for advancing the National Barrier Mitigation Programme.
With a background in civil engineering and environmental planning, Hazel works at the intersection of engineering, ecology, and policy translating ambitious environmental objectives into projects that can actually be delivered on the ground.
In Ireland, the National Barrier Mitigation Programme has now moved firmly into the implementation phase, tackling real-world challenges around funding, design, consenting, and construction at scale. Hazel is responsible for navigating those challenges and driving progress across a complex portfolio of projects.”

Info: Conor Arnold will provide a first-hand perspective on the devastating 2025 Munster Blackwater fish K*ll and examine where the river stands one year later. Drawing on his experience as a fishery owner and professional guide, he will discuss the impact on salmon, the wider river ecosystem, angling, and the clients and communities that depend upon a healthy Blackwater.

He will also reflect on the lessons learned from the incident, including the improvements in pollution reporting, communication and agency response that have since been incorporated, while considering what further measures are needed to prevent, detect and respond more rapidly to future pollution events.

Info: SWAN petition on Open Cage Salmon Farming.

Info: An illustrated talk on many of the issues facing rivers and their fish in the UK and
Ireland and, using examples from the work of the Wild Trout Trust, what can be
done practically to make things just that bit better.

Info: The Better Farming for Water Campaign, led by Teagasc, supports farmers in taking practical actions to reduce nutrient, sediment and pesticide losses to rivers and streams. Using science, local water-quality data and targeted farm measures, the initiative aims to improve water quality while supporting sustainable farming and healthier aquatic ecosystems.

Info: In this talk Elaine will look at what the science and the data are telling us about water pollution, particularly agricultural nitrate pollution, and compare that to the ambition in the Water Action Plan and the measures in the Nitrates Action Programme, along with other voluntary measures. This talk disentangles the rhetoric from the reality — are our policies, programmes and measures enough to tackle Ireland's declining water quality? What do we need to do to restore the health of our waters?

Event venue & nearby stays

Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Gleeson Street, Athlone, Ireland

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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