Pollution has led to huge drop in salmon and trout numbers in Ireland, Oireachtas to hear

Pollution has triggered a significant decline in salmon and trout populations in Ireland, according to reports set to be presented before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Fisheries. This alarming trend highlights broader environmental concerns affecting freshwater ecosystems across the country. The Angling Council of Ireland has noted that during the 1970s, up to two million adult fish returned annually to Irish rivers, but current estimates indicate that this number has dropped dramatically, with fewer than 150,000 to 250,000 returning each year—a decline of roughly 90 percent over the past five decades. This sharp decrease underscores the severe degradation of Ireland's freshwater resources.

The decline in salmon and trout numbers is part of a larger pattern of ecological distress. Sea-trout populations have similarly suffered, experiencing a notable reduction in numbers over the same timeframe. Aquatic invertebrates, which serve as foundational elements of freshwater food chains, have also seen population drops in rivers affected by nutrient enrichment, sedimentation, and habitat loss. These species, including mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies, are recognized globally as indicators of ecosystem health. Their decline signals a broader ecological crisis, suggesting that the problems affecting these species are indicative of wider environmental deterioration.

The Sustainable Water Network has highlighted that Ireland has lost a quarter of its high-quality water bodies in just 15 to 16 years. Elaine McGoff, the network's vice-chair and head of advocacy with An Taisce, attributes this decline primarily to agricultural practices. She points to nitrogen pollution, especially prevalent in the southern and southeastern regions, and phosphorus contamination from both urban wastewater and agricultural activities. McGoff criticizes the continued exemption from the nitrates directive, which has remained in effect for over three decades. She argues that there is currently no effective strategy to combat nitrate pollution, noting that physical barriers such as riparian buffers are ineffective against nitrates, which seep directly through the soil.

McGoff further emphasizes that the government has yet to provide clear evidence that existing measures can achieve the necessary reductions in pollution at the catchment level. She notes that compliance with regulations remains poor, citing a 43 percent non-compliance rate with good agricultural practice regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency last year. This lack of enforcement exacerbates the problem, as even when preventive measures are available, they are often not implemented effectively.

Additionally, the report criticizes Uisce Éireann, the state-owned water utility, for failing to meet licensing standards in 59 percent of its active wastewater discharge licenses. This failure contributes to ongoing water quality issues, which are reflected in the increasing frequency of fish kills. Between January 2023 and July 2024, Inland Fisheries Ireland documented 30 instances of fish kills, leading to the death of nearly 19,000 fish, including Atlantic salmon, trout, eels, and lampreys. Agricultural drainage and excessive use of fertilizers, particularly nitrogen and phosphates, are identified as major contributors to these incidents. Nutrient runoff leads to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and the destruction of habitats crucial for aquatic life.

Peat extraction, whether conducted by Bord na Móna or private entities, is also cited as a significant factor. The silt runoff associated with peat cutting and land disturbances contaminates rivers, further degrading water quality and threatening aquatic biodiversity. As the Oireachtas Joint Committee prepares to address these issues, the focus will likely shift toward identifying solutions to mitigate pollution and restore the health of Ireland's freshwater ecosystems.