According to Derek Evansangling, writing for the IrishTimes, an on-line petition which, at time of going to press, has reached 1,376 signatures.
“Until the late 1980s the Ballynahinch system in Connemara was regarded as the best sea-trout fishery in Ireland, with up to 5,500 sea-trout and 500 salmon caught annually. The introduction of salmon-farming in the estuary at Ballynahinch in 1988 destroyed the stocks of salmon and sea-trout," said the petition.
“Annual sea-trout rod catches collapsed from 5,500 to 100 while the salmon catch fell from 500 to 50. The sea-lice emanating from these salmon farms have been proven to be the cause of this utter decimation of the wild stock of salmonids.
Petition Grows as Sea Lice Decimate Bertraghboy Bay
IRELAND - After the reintroduction of salmon farming to Bertraghboy Bay at Ballynahinch in Connemara, a strongly worded message been sent to the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith, urging immediate steps to outlaw salmon-farming in the estuary.
