The sea trout has an exalted place in game fishing. Its presence, notably in some wonderful fisheries concentrated in Connemara and along the western seaboard, contributes handsomely to Ireland's reputation as a game fishing location - superior to most.
Indisputable evidence of the sea trout's decline over a 10-year period for whatever reason, not only rapidly undermines that reputation but calls into question our ability to respond adequately when an environmental factor upsets part of Ireland's fragile ecosystem. It has challenged the State's ability to effect the necessary measures to arrest decline and facilitate recovery, sooner rather than later. Nature is rarely restored to full health unless emphasis is on `the sooner'.
Much of the decade has been marked by the spectacle of anglers and fish farmers at each others throats over possible causes. The relationship between lice-infected sea trout and the location of salmon farms remains the subject of bitter contention. The same vitriolic pronouncements from both sides seem to have resurfaced following two of the latest research reports on the sea trout monitoring programme. The first is by Dr Ian Cowx of the University of Hull and the second, an evaluation of his findings, by the Central Fisheries Board. Both centre around the reliability of Irish sea trout research.
The former was interpreted by the salmon farm industry as vindication of its view that it has been unfairly targeted when blame was apportioned. The latter comforted anglers who say the Cowx report was used by the industry "to fuel a grossly misleading publicity campaign which has sought to shirk responsibility for the sea trout collapse in areas near fish farms".
Perhaps the most telling comment in this latest confrontation has come from Prof Emer Colleran, chairperson of the Sea Trout Monitoring and Advisory Group, which advises the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources on the issue. Criticism of Irish research in the Cowx report, while justified in some instances, did not include calling into question a notable finding of the Whitaker Report in 1994 she said. It found that infestation by sea lice in the vicinity of sea farms was the factor most closely associated with adverse pressure on sea trout stocks.
Leaving the controversial aspects of the Cowx report aside, it is clear that Irish research financed by taxpayers to the tune of £1 million a year has not been adequate. The Marine Institute and the Central Fisheries Board appear anxious that preoccupation with the failures - and recrimination - of the past is abandoned in favour of a new co-ordinated approach. Notwithstanding a dispute over sampling and analysis, the Cowx report helps chart a better course. All parties should readily endorse a new strategy, for the Irish sea trout's survival has yet to be guaranteed.
Taxpayers are entitled to effective research strategies; likewise, anglers whose concerns are justified, particularly with indications that after some recovery, stocks may be in renewed decline. They are also entitled to transparency and prompt publication of research and analysis. Above all, speedy co-ordinated action based on sound research and implementation of strategies remains the best way forward.