Federation of Irish Salmon & Sea Trout Anglers

12/08/2026

Please ban salmon farming in Ireland ...and Iceland, Norway, Faroe Islands, Denmark, Scotland etc.

12/08/2026

And what’s more crazy is that the baby salmon or migrating wild Atlantic smolts are infested by sea-lice emanating from salmon farm cages that kill all before them including shellfish.

12/08/2026

FISSTA MEMBERS ARE RAGING WITH DAFM MINISTER HEYDON AND DOOLEY ONCE AGAIN TO SIGN LICENSES FOR THESE SALMON CAGES UNCONDITIONALLY- APART FROM DONATIONS TO THEIR POLITICAL PARTIES.

YET ANOTHER ESCAPEMENT OF FARMED SALMON OFF THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND THAT WILL GO UNPUNISHED AND FOR WHICH MOWI WILL GET OFF SCOT-FREE.

HOW MANY TIMES WILL THE WILD ATLANTIC SALMON HABITAT HAVE TO SUFFER DAMAGING LOSSES THANKS TO MOWI MISMANAGEMENT.

APPARENTLY THE LACK OF WARNING SIGNS AT CLARE ISLAND SITE SEEM TO BE THE CAUSE. THEY FAILED TO HAVE EVEN A MAYO FLAG ON THE CAGE SITE TO WARN THE CREW OF THE FLAT BOTTOM BARGE.

If state body INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND who are responsible for wild Atlantic salmon habitat were properly led they would sue MOWI for inadequate warning signs and the boat on behalf of anglers who are the victims for the irreparable damage to the fishery as per the ucc escapee report which confirms what these farmed escaped salmon do to us.

Gareth Moore
EDITOR PUBLISHED 12 August 2026 - 15:30
MODIFIED 12 August 2026 - 15:52
Mowi is sending two wellboats to a salmon farm in Ireland after a vintage 30-metre yacht ran over the top of a fish pen and came to rest inside a second pen.
The incident involving the Rara Avis, a flat-bottomed schooner modelled after Thames barge lines, is understood to have happened in the early hours of today at the Portlee Smolt site, Clare Island at the entrance to Clew Bay in County Mayo.
Fish Farming Expert understands that there were 25 French people on the boat, and no reported injuries.

Fits like a glove: the Rara Avis inside a salmon pen at Portlee Smolt, Clare Island, County Mayo, Ireland. Photo: Mowi Ireland
The steel-hulled boat was built in the Netherlands for a wealthy American banker in 1957, and later sold to a French owner before being donated in 1973 to an association aiding young adults and rehabilitation through sailing.
Because the vessel has a flat bottom, it is hoped it can be removed from the pen in the same it came in, over the side. But Mowi’s first priority is to check the nets of the affected pens for holes.
Extra nets
Extra nets are being brought to the site to put around the pens, which contain 100,000 post-smolts with an average weight of 500 grams.
The wellboats will be used to transfer the fish, if required.
They can also be utilised if the fish have to be euthanised for welfare reasons if the water becomes contanimated with fuel from the yacht, although there is no sign of a spillage at present.

Farm technicians examining damage to the side netting and bird netting of the first cage that the yacht ran over the top of. It appears that the yacht entered where the farm technicans are gathered, and exited just to the right on the far side. Photo: Mowi Ireland
WELLBOATS NEWS SALMON FARMING YACHT MOWI IRELAND COUNTY MAYO

The Rara Avis Yacht barges into salmon pen in Ireland

Mowi mobilises resources to prevent escapes after incident at post-smolt site in County Mayo

26/07/2026

Just like the Gweebarra river. Another attempt to seize the best water we have.

23/07/2026

Thanks Will O Connor for this post.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbFimxptEIF/?igsh=czlieGNyamJ0enBo

17/07/2026

ONCE AGAIN IT IS ANGLERS ON THE RIVERBANK THAT SCREAMS STOP AS FISSTA CALL OUT SIX FISH KILL POLLUTION INCIDENTS IN THE LAST FORTNIGHT - THE LATEST IN ABBEYFEALE BY STATE FUNDED BODIES

Whoever is responsible for hiring this Komatsu digger on the Feale River at the water intake near Abbeyfeale earlier today to create this barrier using our riverbed gravel must face the full rigours of the law. The driver and contractor must have known the law and questioned the instructions given by Uisce Éireann to convince him to allow his bucket destruct our wild Atlantic salmon and seatrout habitat.
The Government and IFI pretend to be interested in the survival of wild Atlantic Salmon and water quality in our famous rivers This picture tells a different story where a contractor was able to dig the bed of a salmonid River to erect a gravel wall which is more than likely illegal.

At a time when salmon and seatrout are under enormous pressure due to water temperature m, it is unbelievable that the state bodies not just allowed to happen but directed operations. Limerick County Council and Uisce Eireann already have a dreadful record when it comes to water quality. They dug the bed of the River today to build gravel high for this dam at a time when we are being told that a large sum of money is set aside to remove all barriers that impede the free movement of Salmon and seatrout on their way to the spawning grounds. One leading club angler affiliated to FISSTA stated “I'm furious that this dam has been allowed to be built against all the advice to conserve our invaluable spawning”.

It is nearly a month since INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND published a response to the 50,000 fish kill on the RIVER BLACKWATER last August in the form of what is called a new protocol policy which they promise to implement as a result of a pollution incident. FISSTA demand Uisce Éireann, Limerick County Council and INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND to issue a joint statement under their much heralded protocol to explain how this water quality disaster was allowed to happen. But this destructive contract to our salmon resource is getting far too common.

The following are a list of six fish kill incidents over the past fortnight of July that have reported and been of concern to FISSTA members and published on the IFI website. Just because no dead fish were recovered in some instances does not mean that fish were not killed, as habitat examination may not have taken place for a period of days.

FISSTA will be seeking a comprehensive examination and report on these fish kill incidents as we once again fear the worst for the recovery of these fisheries.

River Feale today 16.7.26 – the er****on of a blockage as per photos HABITAT WELFARE ISSUE

Co Sligo. Ballisodare River condition of salmon concern - HABITAT WELFARE ISSUE

Co. Galway Dunkillen river - fish kill

Co Cork Curraghlickey Lake Dunmanaway. Fish kill - mostly bream recovered.

Co Kerry - Deenagh River, Killarney - suspected pollution incident

Co Cork Ross River Killavullen heavy discoloration - pollution incident

Regarding Purpose no 10 FISSTA believes that this new protocol policy has been informed by a somehat outdated publication of 2007 by the Australian National investigation and reporting protocol for fish mortality events (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007), the report ofthe European Commission’s Joint Research Centre following the 2025 significant fish kill on the Munster Blackwater (Free, 2026) and the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy regarding the Fish Kill on the River Blackwater 2025 of which no culprit was found to have caused the destruction of over 50,000 fish.The memorable conclusion by SWRB Director Sean Long was "No smoking gun was found" - RTE 2025.
PURPOSE OF PROTOCOL
1. The Strategic Emergency Management National Structures and Framework sets
out the national arrangements for the delivery of effective emergency management.
2. Some emergencies may be beyond the normal response capabilities of the local
emergency response services .
3. The National Contingency Plan in case of massive pollution events describes the
command and control to be implemented where there is a threat or actual pollution at
sea or shoreline. Local Authorities maintain specific Major Emergency Plans which detail their response to major emergencies, including environmental pollution.
4. A fish mortality event occurs when conditions within a waterbody change due to either
natural or human-induced (anthropogenic) causes resulting in the death of multiple
fish of a single or multiple species. It may occur suddenly or following a period of time
during which fish morbidity was observed in a fish population.
5. A ‘significant’ fish mortality event is one that may affect single or multiple species, has
the potential to result in significant aquatic habitat damage, impact on spawning and/
or jeopardise the short-term survival of a fish population and may require the response
of more than one agency.
6. The Inland Fisheries Environmental Officer on scene shall determine whether a fish
mortality event is significant based on their experience and knowledge of the affected
waterbody/catchment and shall liaise with IFI Management regarding initiating this
Protocol accordingly.
7. his document sets out the protocol for coordinating the response to significant fish
mortality events in freshwater by relevant agencies and supports the National
Emergency Framework.
8. This document establishes a clear framework for coordinating and communicating the
timely response, thorough investigation, and accurate documentation of significant fish
mortality events, ensuring a consistent and effective approach.
9. This protocol follows the precautionary principle, assuming a worst‑case scenario
when a fish mortality event occurs and is refined as evidence emerges during the
investigation process.
10. This policy has been informed by the Australian National investigation and reporting protocol for fish mortality events (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007), the report of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre following the 2025 significant fish kill on the Munster Blackwater (Free, 2026) and the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy regarding the Fish Kill on the River Blackwater 2025.

06/07/2026

To anyone mad enough to have bought these product our advice is to bin them now before you poison someone in your family.
This salmon pharmed industry is a huge threat to wild salmon and Sea Trout populations in the wild.
Please boycott the sale of farmed salmon from our food chain.

https://www.fsai.ie/news-and-alerts/food-alerts/recall-of-tesco-finest-scottish-cherrywood-smoked?fbclid=IwRlRTSAS4nntwZG9mAWZkaWQWUKBrgVx5EGmijunPrOZds3tRCcDhm2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR79RF72hV3K7YsPqLsTMLk9fLj_TaH5IUrn-dssNLuQ4XHFeQqiviR38T24Eg_aem_JO-VPo4r3QfbvN8LKH8B7w

Recall of Tesco Finest Scottish Cherrywood Smoked Salmon due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Saturday, 04 July 2026 Alert Summary Category 1: For Action Alert Notification: 2026.42 Product Identification: Tesco Finest Scottish Cherrywood Smoked Salmon; pack size: 100g Batch Code Please se...

17/06/2026

EPA WATER CONFERENCE 2026 IN GALWAY HEARS THAT STANDARDS ARE STILL UNSATISFACTORY DESPITE IMPROVEMENTS IN DISCHARGE LICENSES BEING ISSUED.

EPA CLOSURE ORDERS POLICY IMPROVES DUE TO IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION OF FISSTA - Our Federation of Irish Salmon and Seatrout Anglers had given notice of intent to take legal action last Autumn against the EPA policy of the industrial discharges as was exposed after the 50,000 fish kill on the River Blackwater last August. Since that Joint Oireachtas Committee scrutinised the EPA evidence given to the JOC members, nobody or yes organisation was found to be in breach of the standards because the collection of water and evidence was delayed by INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND and Sean Long Director stated he could find “no smoking gun”. FISSTA have called for the resignation of all involved in this investigation as their failure to collect evidence and prosecute has done massive damage to our river and habitat.

SINCE FISSTA GAVE NOTICE OF INTENT TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE EPA WHO HAVE NOW REIMPOSED A NOTICE ON NCC
- North Cork Creameries DIRECTING IT TO SUSPEND EFFLUENT DISCHARGE INTO THE RIVRR ALLOW.

TOO LITTLE & TOO LATE FROM THE EPA

The first of a two day ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Water Conference 2026 was held in Galway today where Roni Hawe, Director of the Office of Evidence & Assessment, Environmental Protection Agency welcomed all attendees an it was later announced that Annual data on the quality of our water shows no improvement in 2025 and that standards are still unsatisfactory in many areas as substandard wastewater and increased nutrients level from agricultural run off. Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen deplete oxygen leeks and impact on the overall balance of the habitat. Delegates to EPA Conference in Galway like Elaine Mc Goff Head of Advocacy at An tAisce stated that repeatedly doing what has failed needs to change.
Minister for Nature Heritage & Biodiversity Christopher O’ Sullivan TD is the man responsible for implementing the third Water Action Plan which he admits on lunchtime news that there have been failures and successes. Nobody outlined where the successes are but he does admit the new Fourth Water Action Plan under his ministry must see improvements in water quality fast.
EPA Water Conference 2026

The EPA Water Conference 2026 will take place on 17 and 18 June, 2026 in Galway and online.
Event Date: June 17, 2026
Event Time: Wednesday 17 June 10:00-17:00 Thursday 18 June 09:30-13:30
Location: Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway and online
A blue promotional banner for the EPA Water Conference 2026. The Environmental Protection Agency logo appears at the top left. Bold text in the centre reads “EPA Water Conference 2026,” with “17th & 18th June 2026” and the location “Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway” beneath it. The right side displays the tagline “Strengthening the Measures.”
The theme for this year is Strengthening the Measures.
The conference will be available to attend in person or online.
Registration is now open: EPA Water Conference 2026 in Galway - Checkout
Speakers will share their knowledge on how to protect & improve water quality in Ireland and showcase case studies from around Ireland.
Check out the overview on catchments.ie
Agenda
Day 1, Session 1: Setting the scene
EPA Welcome: Roni Hawe, Director of the Office of Evidence & Assessment, Environmental Protection Agency
Minister’s address: Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity
Department update on implementation of the Water Action Plan: Emma Quinlan, Water Scientific Policy Adviser – Water Advisory Unit, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
View on the issues to be considered for the 4th plan – SWMI: Dr. Triona McGrath, Research and Policy Lead, The Water Forum
Day 1, Session 2: Water services
Addressing infrastructural and operational deficiencies in Urban Waste Water: Jim Fitzgerald, Regional Operations Manager, Uisce Eireann.
Preventing problems before they arise: Introducing the Drinking Water Resilience Improvement List: Patrick Chan, Senior Inspector, Drinking Water Enforcement, Environmental Protection Agency
Registration of small wastewater discharges – a new regulatory approach: Jim Moriarty, Senior Inspector, Dumping at Sea and Water Regulation, Environmental Protection Agency
A review of the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems: Dr. Chris Fennell, Inspector, Waste Water Enforcement, Environmental Protection Agency
Day 1, Session 3: Working with communities
Our Lady's Island Campaign: Eoin Kinsella, Executive Agricultural Scientist, Wexford County Council
Shellfish in coastal waters: Vera O’Donovan, Regional Development Manager, Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Stranoodan Group Water Scheme – protecting water at the source: Ross MacDonald, Source Protection Officer, Stranoodan Group Water Scheme
Better Farming for Water Campaign and a focus on Catchments of Concern: Noel Meehan, Programme Manager – ASSAP, Teagasc
Panel discussion
Day 2, Session 4: Targeting action
EPA waterbody characterisation update: Dr. Eoin McAleer, Senior Scientific Officer, Environmental Protection Agency
Catchment science informing action: Ruth Hennessy, Catchment Manager, LAWPRO
The right measure in the right place: John Stack, Senior Executive Engineer, Dublin City Council
Water European Innovation Partnership:Mairead Whitty, Project Lead, Water European Innovation Partnership
Day 2, Session 5: Restoring our waters
Waters of Life: Anne Goggin, Project Manager, Waters of Life
Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE IP: Derek McLoughlin, Project Manager, Wild Atlantic Nature
Atlantic Salmon Trust – hope into action: Prof. Ken Whelan, Vice President & Alison Baker, Restoration Director, Atlantic Salmon Trust
Panel discussion
Contact Information:
From: Noel Carr National Secretary FISSTA - Federation of Irish Salmon and Seatrout Anglers Teelin Rd Carrick Co Donegal Ireland. Email:[email protected]
Tel: 00353(0)749730300
Text Mobile: 00353 (0)872352001

17/06/2026

River Blackwater in Meath this time.

Important story covered in the Meath Chronicle: Boliden Tara Mines did not tell community of pipeline breach

The Meath Chronicle reports that the local community surrounding Tara Mines were not informed of the pipeline failure that saw 250 to 300 tonnes of mine waste 'tailings' being released into the surrounding area, putting the River Blackwater at risk.

Residents group SENT (Saving the Environment of Navan Townlands) also reported to never having seen the Emergency Response Plan in the case of a massive or total failure of the tailings facility (which has happened at previous Boliden mines).

An Taisce has reported to the EPA, via a submission on Boliden Tara Mines (BMT)’s latest water abstraction licence, and to Meath County Council, via a submission on BMT’s application to extend tunnels underground for new mineral deposit discovery, that there have been at least 16 cases of non-compliance with BMT’s current Industrial Emissions Licence (which has just been renewed).

An Taisce has now been asked by BMT’s consultant to comment on a pre-application for a new tailings facility, across the greenway from the current site used for waste.

Mairead Heaney from SENT expresses the local community's deep concerns:

“We are not happy and we will be fighting this. We do not want another extension. We don’t want any more mine waste dumped in our area.”

https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2026/06/11/300-tonnes-of-mine-waste-released-in-tailings-pond-pipeline-breach/