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A long-term research station in Co. Mayo
At Newport, we study how rivers, lakes, and the ocean connect. The facilities allow us to track fish and monitor environmental change over decades.
- laboratories and research offices
- freshwater hatchery and fish-rearing facilities
- fish traps for long-term monitoring
- a fully monitored lake and river system
Fish traps: tracking fish for over 50 years
The traps record fish moving upstream and downstream through the river system. Continuous data collection since 1970 covers Atlantic salmon, sea trout, and European eel, helping researchers understand population change over time.
How the traps work
Three trap systems support monitoring across the river system and within a smaller part of the catchment.
Salmon Leap Trap and Mill Race Trap
These systems monitor fish travelling into and out of the river.
Shrarevagh River Trap
This system supports focused study of young fish and genetics within a smaller part of the catchment.
Data buoys monitor a changing environment
Our lake and river buoys collect real-time observations. A new buoy at Lough Furnace forms part of the national Sentinel Site network.
- water temperature and quality
- carbon movement in the ecosystem
- biological activity in lakes
- the impacts of storms, heatwaves, and drought
- physical, chemical, and biological change
- long-term climate data that supports marine policy and climate action
Explore live environmental data
- lakes and rivers
- fish traps
- the weather station
Fish rearing and salmon research
Our freshwater facilities support fish at different life-cycle stages and play a key role in the salmon ranching programme. Researchers tag young salmon, release them into the wild, and detect returning adults in the fish traps.
Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)
The modern Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) provides a controlled environment for studying fish under carefully managed conditions.
- control water quality and temperature
- study fish health and behaviour
- test new aquaculture methods
What the facility supports
- understand how ecosystems are changing
- protect important fish species
- support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
- respond to climate impacts in real time