Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to reduce the level of drift-netting for wild salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28037/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Since taking up my appointment as Minister of State, I have reaffirmed the Government's acceptance of the scientific advice that reductions in the overall fishing effort are required to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks nationwide. For this reason, current Government policy has been designed to bring spawning escapement up to the level of the scientifically advised conservation limits as soon as possible. In keeping with this policy, when setting the commercial salmon quotas for the 2005 season, I gave a firm commitment to fully align the exploitation of salmon, both at national and district levels, on the scientific advice by 2007.

To achieve this, I have asked the new National Salmon Commission to advise as to how best the alignment of exploitation of salmon with the scientific advice can be implemented by 2007. This must be done bearing in mind the requirement to ensure the future biological viability of the salmon resource in all catchments and also the needs of all stakeholders, including those who derive their living from the wild salmon resource. I will examine carefully all recommendations, including those relevant to drift-netting, made by the salmon commission in this regard.