'This would be one of the worst things to ever happen to Ballina'
Anglers at the Ridge Pool on the River Moy in Ballina. Picture: Keith Heneghan/Phocus
Councillors in Ballina Municipal District have pledged their support to local salmon anglers who face severe restrictions on fishing activity in 2026 should controversial draft proposals published last month be adopted.
The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025 proposes that the River Moy be classified as a brown tag river in 2026, meaning anglers must hold a brown tag that will be issued via a lottery to fish for salmon on the world-famous river, which is one of the principal drivers of tourism revenue in the North Mayo region.
Furthermore, it is proposed that the maximum number of brown tags to be issued is 1,044, which would be the maximum number of salmon that could be caught during the harvest window from June 1 until August 31, 2026. Statistics from state body Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) reveal that 4,152 salmon were caught in the Moy system in 2024, which is 25% of the overall national catch.
A public meeting was held in Ballina in late November where local anglers agreed to make a collective submission opposing the proposed changes. The public consultation period comes to an end on Saturday next, December 20th.
Cllr John O’Hara told last week's meeting of Ballina Municipal District that the initiative would be "one of the worst things to ever happen to Ballina", were it to be put in place for next year.
“People come from all over the world to fish at the Ridge Pool and those changes would be the worst thing ever done,” he said.
Cllr O’Hara said local anglers should not be punished and the problem with stocks lies out at sea where trawlers catch huge amounts of salmon and seals eat salmon in abundance.
Cllr Joe Faughnan said he attended the public meeting and it was clear the proposals would have a negative impact on local angling and tourism.
“There was a huge turnout and it is important we write to the IFI because the Moy is so well known for its salmon fishing. It is important for our area,” he said.
Cllr Michael Loftus said he had previously called for a seal cull to be considered at the Moy Estuary, a suggestion also made by Cllr O’Hara, adding that the draft proposals were “not good enough” and would have an impact on the wider north Mayo area if they were adopted in their current guise.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
