John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 989: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the Barrow and the Nore are currently closed for fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1860/07]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 1008: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the present conservation programme in relation to salmon stocks on the Rivers Barrow and Nore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2251/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos 989 and 1008 together.

The Standing Scientific Committee of the National Salmon Commission has advised that stocks of salmon in the Rivers Barrow and Nore are below conservation limits. For this reason no killing of salmon by any method in the River Barrow is permitted during the 2007 season in accordance with the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-Law No C.S. 287, 2006. Fishing on a catch-and-release basis only is permitted by the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-Law No. 815, 2006 on the waters of the river Nore. This reflects the relative status of the stocks of both rivers.

The regional Fisheries Board and the Marine Institute will monitor the stocks in developing a management plan for each of the rivers with a view to identifying the extent of the recovery, if any, arising from the cessation of the mixed stock commercial fishery and any stock rehabilitation works undertaken. The application of the above by-laws will be kept under constant review.