Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has provided resources for river counters and inland fisheries staff to effectively implement the salmon conservation programme as outlined in the report of the independent salmon group; the stage of the development of single stock management and the compensatory measures for affected licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5265/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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While some €24.6m is provided for in the management and operation of the Central and regional fisheries boards in the Department's Vote in 2007, I am in the process of securing additional resources to enhance their protection and enforcement activities on foot of the significant changes being made to the salmon management regime. I expect details will be published in the revised estimates volume.

While river counters have been installed on many rivers in recent years, and more will be provided, it is clear that their efficacy is far from proven in larger rivers. This is being tested at one location. That said, counters represent only one of the methods by which stocking levels are assessed. Reliance is also placed on expert analysis of catch data, surveys by fisheries officers and research officers of spawning beds, fish populations and habitats. The question of monitoring and counting is kept under constant review by the Fisheries Boards and the Marine Institute.

The Deputy will be aware that last December I published regulations relating to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme and appropriate salmon conservation bylaws governing the management of the wild salmon fishery in 2007. These statutory instruments refer to management of stocks on a river by river basis. The details of the distribution of the hardship fund are being finalised and will be published as soon as the EU Commission has cleared the scheme for the purposes of State aids approval.