Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THERE’S SOMETHING FISHY ABOUT MYSTERY SALMON
Fears as Pacific species found in Ireland
THE mysterious appearance of Pacific salmon in seven Irish rivers has baffled fishery experts.
It emerged yesterday that 30 of the species which are native to the Pacific Ocean have been caught here since the first recording in late June.
Fisheries chiefs said one of the most recent non-native fish to be captured was a mature male, which was ready to spawn when it was found on August 9 on the Erriff in Co Mayo.
Other catches of pink or humpback salmon, as they are also known, have been reported on the Foxford and Coolcronan fisheries on the Moy and the Owengarve river all in Co Mayo, the Galway Fishery and the Cong river on the Corrib system and the Drowes and Crana rivers in Donegal.
Inland Fisheries Ireland appealed to anglers and the public to remain vigilant and report any Pacific pink salmon.
A similar issue has been reported on some fisheries in Scotland and there is no definitive explanation. Some may have swam south after “straying” from rivers in Norway or Russia.
They were introduced to some Russian fisheries in the 1960s and have colonised west along Arctic coasts.
The IFI said the potential impact of FOOTBALL legend Robbie Keane looks as though he may have swapped the beautiful game for beach footy.
Ireland’s 37-year-old record goal scorer, who has just signed for Indian side Atletico de Kolkata, was with his the species is unclear but their appearance in Irish river systems is a concern as they may impact on indigenous salmon populations in the future.
One fear is the potential introduction of parasites and pathogens not present in native fish and another is competition for food and space for juveniles.
The IFI said interbreeding with Atlantic salmon is unlikely as pink salmon spawn in late summer while Atlantic salmon spawn in winter.
The agency has set up a 24-hour hotline to report sightings – 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24.
It urged anglers who catch any pink salmon not to release them back. model wife Claudine and their sons Robert Jnr and Hudson for a family holiday in Dubai.
Claudine shared a string of photos from their break, including a picture of her showing off her stunning figure.
Life’s a beach for the couple...