Loughs Agency has confirmed that all net fisheries on the Foyle system are stopped as of today (Monday, June 14).

The declaration covers the River Foyle, Lough Foyle and seaward of Lough Foyle, and restricts angling in the River Finn (which failed to reach its conservation limit under the EU Habitats Directive) and the River Foyle. Catch-and-release is now mandatory on the system.

A statement from Loughs Agency read: "The Loughs Agency has introduced regulations in response to declining stocks in the Foyle system, and in particular the River Finn. The Loughs Agency has been forced to take action to protect and conserve wild Atlantic Salmon and to ensure their future sustainability.

"The failure of the River Finn salmon stocks to meet sustainability targets, is of principle concern. "

The Ulster Angling Federation is to ask the European Union to commence legal proceedings against The Northern Ireland Government Department of Culture Arts and Leisure for operating a mixed stock sea net fishery in the old FCB area of Northern Ireland.

For the full story read the August 2010 issue of FF&FT.

Pictured: Patsy McHugh from Lifford with the salmon of a lifetime which he caught on May 11 at the Meetings above Lifford Bridge on the River Foyle. Patsy was fishing the bubble and a size 10 Green Highlander fly from the Lifford side when the fish took. After an epic 45-minute battle he landed an amazing 33-½ lbs fresh sea- liced fish.

• Meanwhile, Salmon Watch Ireland is concerned over the reintroduction of a draft net fishery in Castlemaine Harbour, Co Kerry, for "research purposes." The pressure group believes it is a disguised means of reintroducing mixed stock fishing for salmon. If so, it will be a breach not only of the Irish government's policy to end such fishing (adopted in 2006) but also of its obligations under the EU Habitats Directive and to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation.

The initiative is confined to 2010 and limited to 800 salmon. It will operate under the close control of the Marine Institute, the Central Fishery Board and the South Western Regional Fisheries Board.

Salmon stocks in many of the rivers flowing into Castlemaine Harbour are already under severe stress and are unable to bear the burden of mixed stock exploitation.