Biggest Irish Salmon in Almost 20 Years!
Press Release 1st October
The largest Irish salmon taken on rod and line in almost 20 years was caught recently on the River Nore near Kilkenny during the last week of the salmon fishing season. Local angler Martin White hooked the enormous 32lb salmon while fishing a prawn downstream of Kilkenny, in an area of the River Nore known as the 'Ministers Hole'.
An avid angler for more years than he cares to remember, Martin said "this is a fish that people dream of catching and has made all the time and effort I have put into angling worthwhile. I have loved every minute of it and I plan to get the fish mounted by a taxidermist so I can have it forever."
Scale samples from the fish have been sent to Research Scientists at the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) for analysis. After reading the fish scales scientists will be able to provide valuable information about its age and growth rate. Martin will also be registering his catch of a lifetime with the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC), which records big fish taken in Irish waters. Records from the ISFC have shown that Martin's salmon now ranks among the top 15 heaviest rod caught salmon taken in Ireland.
In 2007 and 2008 salmon fishing on the River Nore operated on a 'catch and release' basis only in order to help protect and conserve salmon stocks on the river.
However, in September 2009 anglers were permitted to take one salmon if they had been issued with a special gill tag by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB).
If you would like further information on fishing the River Nore or any angling information please log onto the Central Fisheries Board website www.cfb.ie
Further information:
Martin White's salmon is the largest fish caught on the Nore since 1991 when Marc O' Regan caught a 34lb salmon at Thomastown.
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For media enquires:
Linda Mc Kenny, PR and Communications Officer, Central Fisheries Board, Swords Business Campus, Swords, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 8842639, Mobile: 087 3294440 Email: linda.mckenny@cfb.ie Website: www.cfb.ie
Notes to Editor:
The Central Fisheries Board (CFB) is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act 1980.
Its principal functions are to advise the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on policy relating to the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries and sea angling, to co-ordinate and provide specialist and support services to the Regional Fisheries Boards, and to advise the Minister on the performance by the Regional Fisheries Boards of their functions.
Under the rationalisation of state agencies outlined in Budget 2009, The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards will be merged to form Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in early 2010.