Salmon getting a battering at Portna

However there has been concern that the coveted fish are being killed at Portna near Kilrea, not because of eager anglers, but the floodgates they have been knocked against due to the swell arising out of recent rainfall.

The gates are needed to control the level of the river to avoid flooding but unfortunately there is conflict between the anglers and the Rivers Agency who have the legal power and responsibility to control these gates.

Local SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat explains: “There is always a certain amount of conflict between the Rivers Agency who control the water levels and others whose main interest is fishing and leisure activities.

“Last week the level of the gates did not suit the run of the salmon and as a result many were seen being bashed against the gates and that would inevitably mean certain death and a serious loss of valuable fish stock on the river.

“I am grateful that local anglers drew this problem to my attention and it was eventually sorted out and the fish were allowed to continue their journey upstream to the spawning grounds.”

Mr Dallat added: “For thousands of years the Salmon has been associated with the River Bann but in recent years the decline in stocks has caused a great deal of concern.

“Hopefully there is a recovery taking place but obviously we must redouble our efforts to ensure that fish are not killed unnecessarily either by pollution, poaching or in this case problems with the gates controlling the level of the river.”