22. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the duration of the draft net season for Loughros Mór fishery, County Donegal, will be re-examined ahead of the 2025 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/24]

I have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the national authority for the protection, conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource that the scientific advice for the operation of salmon fisheries in 2025 is currently being prepared by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) and will be available in the coming weeks.

In recent years, marginal surpluses which have been identified for the Owenea/Owentocker rivers have necessitated restriction of the traditional commercial draft net fishery season on the Loughros estuary fishery from 1st to 21st July.

Opening of the commercial salmon draft net fishery on the Loughros estuary, and the duration of the season to apply in that case, will be reviewed in light of the pending scientific advice and available harvestable surplus as may be identified for these rivers in 2025 in order to ensure protection of this valuable resource.