Written answers
Wednesday, 29 June 2005
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
10:00 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the strength of the Atlantic salmon stock; the number of Atlantic salmon caught and notified officially for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23122/05]
Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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According to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme fisheries statistics reports, which are published annually by the Central Fisheries Board, the number of Atlantic salmon caught and notified to the fisheries boards for each of the past ten years is set out in the table.
Year | Numbers |
1995 | 270,269 |
1996 | 229,529 |
1997 | 205,553 |
1998 | 240,014 |
1999 | 189,143 |
2000 | 236,448 |
2001 | 259,475 |
2002 | 236,307 |
2003 | 187,762 |
2004 | 169,808 |
Since 2002, the Government has implemented a strategy to ensure, through progressive reductions in the commercial catch, that the conservation limits specified by the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission are being reached. This policy of promoting the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling has delivered significant overall catch reductions aimed at achieving the objective of restoration of salmon stocks.
The Government believes that the current strategy of developing a sustainable commercial and recreational salmon fishery through aligning catches on the scientific advice holds out the strong prospect of a recovery of stocks and of a long-term sustainable fishery for both sectors.
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