Reason for decline in Mayo salmon stocks revealed

A Mayo Oireachtas member has highlighted the fact overfishing by huge trawlers from Belgium and Spain are having a detrimental impact on Ireland's seas and inland fisheries.

Senator Paddy Burke elaborated: "It has been pointed out to me that salmon stocks have declined by 90% and there was a time when 1.7 million salmon returned to Ireland annually but now that figure is now 150,000.

"That shows the effect that overfishing is having on the salmon industry.

"The disappearance of herring from our fish stocks as well is a great worry."

The Castlebar-based representative said the issue demanded a serious debate.