A new €2.3 million marine research facility launched in Co Mayo will monitor the journey of wild salmon across the North Atlantic Sea. Mr Dermot Ahern, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources said it will help establish Ireland as a world class centre of excellence in marine research and development.
Staffed by 16 full-time and 15 seasonal employees, it comprises a laboratory and administration block, freshwater hatchery and fish-rearing facilities, fish census stations, a salmonid angling fishery and a monitored freshwater lake and river catchment.
The centre, in the Burrishoole Valley, hosts a wide range of the Institute's freshwater and Inshore Fisheries based programmes and is also party to many national and international co-operative research and development programmes.
Officially opening the new centre yesterday Minister Ahern said, "The work carried out here is of international importance, and due to its unique trapping facilities, the runs of salmon and eels can be completely monitored. These facilities form one of the greatest natural laboratories for studying Atlantic salmon in Europe and are in an ideal location for integrated freshwater and marine research.
"Data on salmon, sea trout and eels from the fish census is pivotal in the management of the species and in the setting of conservation limits and fishery targets."
The Newport research base also houses an experimental salmon rearing facility. Environmental monitoring assesses the impacts of fresh water, afforestation and climate change on stock. Fish species in the catchment include salmon, brown trout, European eel, char, stickleback, mullet and flounder.