Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of submissions which were received on the public consultation phase of the 2005 wild salmon and sea trout commercial tagging system; and when he will decide on and publish the regulations for 2005. [12927/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In the course of the statutory consultation process on the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme, which concluded on the 13 April, I received nine submissions. In addition, some 2,600 objections to the proposed quota were received on pre-printed cards, standard form letters and standard form e-mails.

The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2005, S.I. 204 of 2005, were signed into law on 21 April and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the following day. The regulations were published on the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources website on 22 April. Printed copies of the regulations are also available from the Government publications office.

I have considered and weighed all the serious objections received during the consultation period and decided to proceed with the quota proposed in the draft regulation. This figure is in line with the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon Commission.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the communication he has received from the UK Government regarding Ireland's current management of the commercial netting of wild salmon; if the Government intends responding to the criticisms raised by the UK environmental agency that Irish drift nets now represent the main form of exploitation of salmon on many English and Welsh rivers; and if the Government has received advice on whether Ireland's commercial netting practices may be in breach of obligations given in the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation protocols, European Union directives and the UN Law of the Sea Convention regarding the protection of migratory wildlife species. [12928/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for marine matters, I have not received any communication from the UK Government regarding the management of the Irish wild salmon fishery. I am aware, however, of the concerns being expressed abroad that drift netting in the Irish fishery is having an adverse impact on wild Atlantic salmon stocks.

The recent statement issued by the UK Environment Agency has been brought to my attention. The report relies on the findings of a joint Irish-UK scientific working group of scientists from our Marine Institute and the UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, with contributions from the Environment Agency, which has been assessing the recent patterns and levels of exploitation on English and Welsh salmon stocks in the Irish coastal fishery.

The statement contends "the Irish drift net fishery is currently thought to take about 10% of salmon returning to these (English and Welsh) rivers". The report also states "it appears, therefore, that exploitation on salmon from north east England in the Irish fishery is negligible, that exploitation on stocks from north west England and north Wales is currently low, but that levels increase for rivers further south in Wales and in south west and southern England". The report indicates that on the river test all rod caught fish are released and there is no net fishery, so it is in that context that it states that "the Irish fishery is probably the biggest exploiter of this stock."

I am advised that the results of the scientists' work have demonstrated that salmon from parts of England and Wales are exploited in the Irish coastal fishery. However, the report states "the levels of exploitation have varied between stocks from different regions and from year to year, and have also declined following the introduction of new management measures in the Irish fishery since 1997".

The same report recommended that improvement in the riverine environment to address issues of diffuse pollution, siltation, degraded habitat and obstructions to migration is seen as a key component in reversing the downward trend in egg deposition estimates on many UK rivers.

I understand the joint Irish-UK scientific working group's report is finally nearing completion and is expected to be released in 2005. In the absence of this report, it should be noted that the Government has not received any advice nor does it accept the validity of the argument that its salmon management regime does not comply with international legislation or best practice. Furthermore, the Government does not accept that there is any sound or agreed scientific basis for the allegations made that the Irish salmon drift net fishery has an unacceptable impact on salmon stocks either in Ireland or in other European countries.

The Government considers that its management of the Irish home water commercial salmon fishery, which limits the commercial salmon fishing season, confines it to within the six-mile limit and restricts the number of fish being caught, demonstrates a commitment to the conservation of the wild salmon stock, which is in keeping with the spirit and principles of our obligations both as a member of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, NASCO, and under relevant EU legislation and international conventions.