It appears that if the officials of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources got their way in the morning, drift netting for salmon would be eliminated altogether. This would be devastating for those communities dependent on the industry and an unnecessarily harsh solution in the light of the relatively light catches which this element of the industry takes each year. I accept it must be closely monitored and reasonable quotas must be applied based on accurate data. The fishermen would be in agreement with this sensible approach, because they realise at this stage that the future of their industry is at stake and stocks must be preserved. They know, too, that priority must be given to allowing the salmon free access up-river to the traditional spawning beds.