Habitat restoration works for Mayo river approved

PLANS for habitat restoration works on the Cong River have received the green light.

The project will involve the deposition of suitable washed spawning gravel and random boulders sourced locally for trout and salmon species in six selected locations in the river.

Cong Angling Club have received planning permission from Mayo County Council and they have the support of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

The works stage will be funded by IFI through the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund.

The works aim to promote salmonid recruitment and life cycle development, thereby sustaining healthy fish communities and biodiversity.

The improvements in fish stocks and biodiversity contributes significantly to the local economy, amenity and quality of life while also helping support tourism opportunities from angling.

IFI will monitor and supervise agreed works to ensure strict adherence to relevant consents, conditions and authorisations, council planners were told.

An appropriate assessment report explained how Ferox trout are a unique population and their conservation is of utmost importance. At present the greatest threat to Ferox trout would seem to be over spawning of their redds by Atlantic salmon, who spawn six weeks after the Ferox.

The purpose of the works above the aquaduct is to increase Ferox spawning area, as the majority of Ferox spawn in the river adjacent to the carpark. All the other areas proposed are to create extra spawning for Atlantic salmon, with a view to reducing the pressure on the Ferox spawning areas.

The project fundamentally aims to enhance the quality of the local habitat to achieve the conservation objectives for the Lough Corrib SAC primarily for Atlantic salmon as a feature of interest.