Statistical news release - Digest of statistics for salmon and inland fisheries

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today published ‘Digest of statistics for salmon and inland fisheries in the DAERA jurisdiction’.

These statistics give an overview of the DAERA fisheries sector in Northern Ireland.

The latest available data have been drawn together from a number of published and unpublished sources.

Key statistics from the report are summarised below:

• There were 26,264 angling licences and 17,713 DAERA permits sold in 2015.
• 1,916 rod licences and 1,885 permits were checked in the DAERA public angling estate in 2016/17.
• 125,556 takeable sized trout were stocked from Movanagher fish farm for recreational angling in 2016, 123,050 of which were stocked to the DAERA Public Angling Estate.
• There were approximately 160,000 salmon fry stocked from Bushmills Hatchery to rivers in Northern Ireland in 2016.
• The number of salmon on the River Lagan counted at Stranmillis fish pass in 2016 was 94, the largest number recorded since 2002.
• The estimated return of wild adult salmon to the River Bush in 2016 was 2,171 and was above the previous ten year average (2006-2015) of 1,233.
• 1.3 million elvers were naturally recruited to Lough Neagh in 2016, more than the average for the previous 10 year period (2006 - 2015) of 0.82 million.
• 2.7 million elvers were transported upstream in the Lough Erne system in 2016, the largest number transported since 2000.

Download angling and inland waterway statistics from the DAERA website

Notes to editors: 

1. The Fisheries digest report was prepared by Statistics and Analytical Services Branch, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB.
The year of data is indicated in each table and figure, with 2016 being the most recent data available. The data may be subject to change at a later date due to revisions.

2. The Fisheries Digest presents findings on the following topics:

• Location of the DAERA Public Angling Estate
• Salmonid conservation
• Eel conservation
• Lake Fish Surveys
• DAERA fish farms and hatchery
• Protection and enforcement
• Licenses and permits
• Demographics of anglers

3. The department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the department’s internal records management system. The department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.

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5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or via email. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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