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3. Results
3.1 Shad investigations
3.1.1 Beach seine netting surveys
These were carried out in July and August 2001 in the estuarine waters of the Slaney, Suir, Nore, Barrow and Munster Blackwater. The principal target species was the twaite shad (Alosa fallax). This is known to spawn at the head of the tide in St. Mullins on the Barrow and ripe fish were taken here on rod-and-line in May 2001. Spawning of this species was reported on the Suir at Carrick-on-Suir up to recent years.
The range of fish species encountered is summarised in Table 1. The list does not include twaite shad, none having been found despite the extent of effort. The species list includes smelt and river lamprey. Of particular interest was the presence of smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) of different year classes in the Suir and Barrow (see 3.3.1). This species was found in many of the net hauls and was frequently numerous. It was observed to be widespread in both channels. Small numbers of this species were also taken in the Munster Blackwater.
It was of considerable interest that one river lamprey was taken in the Slaney during the August sampling. Discussion with local commercial netsmen confirmed that they were also contacting this species, known locally as ‘sticky eels’ at this time.
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