Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the approximate cost to the Exchequer of the quota and tagging system; the scientific advice available to him as to the maximum commercial fishing quota consistent with conservation needs; the commercial fishing quotas appointed; the commercial catch; the benefit to wild salmon stocks derived from the operation of the scheme over the period for each of the years 2002 to 2005 in relation to wild salmon. [27316/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme, which was introduced for the first time in 2002, provides a mechanism to limit the total allowable commercial catch, TAC, of wild salmon. Details of the catch and TAC are as follows:

Data on the recorded catch by commercial salmon fishermen in 2005 will not be formally available until later this month and early next year in the case of the angling catch, when full analysis of exploitation during the season has been completed by the central and regional fisheries boards. The scheme has seen the TAC from 219,619 fish in 2002 to 139,900 fish for the 2005 season. This represents a cut of over 36% over a four year period.

The tagging scheme is operated by the central and regional fisheries boards and is designed, among other things, to deliver accurate statistics on the commercial and recreational wild salmon and sea trout fisheries, fishing activity and sales and disposals. I am advised by the fisheries boards that the scheme has made it easier to identify illegally caught salmon, restrict sales outlets for such fish and to provide traceability into the distribution chain. Importantly, it has provided an opportunity to enhance the sale value of wild fish in that it offers on-line traceability to purchasers of salmon and acts as a quality symbol to enhance the reputation and value of wild caught salmon.

I am advised by the central fisheries board, which co-ordinates the tagging scheme nationally, that the average cost of the scheme over the four year period from 2002 to 2005 is approximately €870,000 per annum and that this funding has been provided out of the annual Exchequer allocation to the fisheries boards.

As marine Minister, I rely on the advice of the national salmon commission and the management of the central and regional fisheries boards when deciding the total allowable commercial catch of salmon each year. In national terms, the latest scientific advice made available to me by the standing scientific committee of the national salmon commission is that while there remains an abundance of salmon returning to Irish rivers, the maximum harvest by all fishing methods should not exceed 122,541 fish in 2005. The scientific advice does not distinguish how this catch should be distributed between the various types of fishing engines.

In setting the total allowable commercial catch for 2005 at 139,900 salmon, I recognise that there have been strong concerns expressed over the divergence in the advice from the national salmon commission and that of its standing scientific committee. However, the basis of the scientific advice changed this year and the immediate adoption of the new advice would have meant an additional cut of over 30% on the actual TAC in 2005. This would have placed an unreasonable burden on the coastal fishing communities that depend on the salmon resource for their livelihoods. I have asked the new national salmon commission to advise me on the measures needed to ensure that we align the exploitation of salmon on the scientific advice by 2007.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy on the taking of fish by illegal means from rivers throughout the country; if the appropriate levels of staff are in place in each district to enforce this policy; if the staff are fully trained and resourced; if they have the support of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27401/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that there is a considerable body of legislation, both primary and secondary, relating to the illegal capture of fish from rivers. This legislation is in place to conserve and protect our inland fisheries. Primary responsibility for enforcement of this legislation rests with the central and regional fisheries boards. Each year the Department provides over €20 million from the Exchequer to the fisheries boards, which employ some 385 staff to carry out their statutory functions. I am satisfied that illegal fishing will not be condoned in any region. Management fully supports staff in the enforcement of this legislation and ensure that staff are trained on an ongoing basis and are fully competent in carrying out their duties.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of reports submitted by fishery officers in the south east on specific instances of poaching at sea and in the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir; the number of such reports taken to the courts in each year from 2000 to date; the number of court cases taken in each district country-wide relative to the same offence since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27402/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the fisheries acts, responsibility for enforcement of inland fisheries legislation rests primarily with the central and regional fisheries boards. In this regard, the Southern Regional Fisheries Board, which is responsible for the Barrow, Nore and Suir rivers, has provided the following information detailing the incidences relating to poaching dealt with by that board in the period from 2000 to date:

I am advised by the Central Fisheries Board, which has responsibility for co-ordinating the fisheries boards' protection effort, that it has not been possible within the time available to provide specific details of court cases taken in each fishery district countrywide relative to the same offence since 2000. I have asked the chief executive officer of that board to ensure that this information is collated and forwarded directly to the Deputy within the next two weeks.