Madam, - In case the impression is given (Editorial, April 4th) that the decline in Liffey salmon stocks is related to commercial fishing, it should be pointed out that no drift netting for salmon takes place on our east coast.
The main reasons for this river's depletion are the seal colonies north of Howth Head that are active in Dublin Bay, particularly at the river mouth. Other reasons are urban pollution and the run-off from forests that affect water quality. Also, countries with thriving salmon populations pay more attention to maintaining spawning beds (redds) than we do in Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
ARTHUR REYNOLDS, Blackrock, Co Dublin.