Written answers

Thursday, 6 April 2006

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Fisheries Protection

5:00 am

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to ensure a cessation or lessening in salmon catches by commercial netsmen does not put huge pressure on other inshore stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13644/06]

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I recently announced proposals for revisions to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme for the 2006 season. In doing so, I also reaffirmed the Government's intention to introduce measures to align fully the management of the fishery with the scientific advice for 2007. Following careful consideration, I have decided to adopt the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon Commission, NSC. This will involve reductions in the quota available to both commercial fishermen and anglers in 2006. Reductions in the overall fishing effort are required to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks nationwide. The standing scientific committee of the NSC has indicated that mixed stock fisheries pose particular threats to the status of individual stocks and that fisheries operated in estuaries and rivers are more likely to fulfil national and international obligations. The National Fishery Managers Executive has identified a range of pilot projects to facilitate the commercial fishery to move from areas of indiscriminate mixed stock fishery exploitation. The feasibility of these projects will be evaluated by the Department in conjunction with the fisheries boards and the Marine Institute.

Many of the existing salmon fishermen are already engaged in diverse inshore fishing activity. The salmon fishing effort takes place mainly in July and August and this effort could be redirected towards inshore stocks in the future. I recognise the considerable efforts made by the commercial salmon fishing industry over the past number of years to build a sustainable fishery and that the industry has endured large cuts in the quotas available. These reductions have caused difficulty and full alignment with the scientific advice is likely to compound these problems. For these reasons, I have decided to appoint an independent group to examine the implications of the new regulations for the commercial sector in 2007 and beyond and to make recommendations on the options available to address financial hardship that may arise. In the context of ensuring a sustainable future for inshore stocks, I have asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, to work with local inshore groups with a view to putting in place strengthened management and conservation measures for inshore stocks around the coast. BIM is working actively with local groups and will be bringing forward appropriate measures for inshore stocks.

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