European Smelt, a fish species of conservation/biodiversity interest in the Foyle area

European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus L.) are an important part of Irelands native fisheries biodiversity. First recorded in the Foyle area in 1973 until recently little else has been uncovered about this species locally. In 2010 the Loughs Agency participated in a survey to identify spawning areas to more accurately chart the distribution of smelt throughout the large Foyle area. The Rivers Finn, tidal River Foyle and River Deele were all identified as having spawning smelt present within their tidal stretches