Poots visits salmon research station at Bushmills

Culture Arts and Leisure Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, was in Bushmills today to visit the River Bush Salmon Station.

Speaking during his visit the Minister said: “The Salmon Station carries out very valuable work on the status of salmon stock in the River Bush. Data gathered here informs Departmental policy on salmon and it also contributes to the assessment of salmon stocks at international level.

“The Station also records accurate counts of upstream migrating adult salmon as well as counts of juvenile salmon migrating downstream which provides information on stock levels.”

During a tour of the Station the Minister saw work going on at the hatchery which supplies fry for restocking directly into the upper reaches of the River Bush and provides tagged smolts for release from the Station.

The Minister said: “This stocking enhances the return of adults to the rivers and provides additional information on the survival at sea of the smolts. The hatchery also supports angling clubs throughout Northern Ireland wanting to improve fish stocks in their rivers.”

The Minister also met a group of 12 young people from North Belfast who were on a five day fishing trip arranged by the Belfast Education and Library Board and organised by the charity group Angling First.

Speaking to the young people and their leaders, the Minister said: “Angling is one of the biggest participation sports with around 30,000 people in Northern Ireland enjoying it as a recreational hobby or interest. Evidence shows that angling is a great stress buster because it helps people relax and unwind.

“It has also proved to be successful in diverting young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. I am therefore very pleased to see these young people getting involved in a pastime which they will be able to enjoy at any time throughout their lives.”

The Minister went on to say that angling is a popular sport amongst people with disabilities.

“The sport is accessible to all abilities and helps people socialise, build a sense of independence and integrate into the community,” he added.

During his visit to Bushmills the Minister dropped in at an Ulster-Scots summer school at Ballytober Primary School. He also attended a Milk Cup Football Match at Andersons Park, Coleraine between Maccabi Haifa (Isreal) and Co. Down and later paid a visit to Coleraine Library to meet staff and library members.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 90 258901 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.