Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify aspects of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Regulations) 2009 season (details supplied); if the restrictions as outlined are envisaged; if his attention has been drawn to the potential impact on angling tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45956/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I recently published, for public consultation, the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, which provide for the distribution of tags for the harvesting of both commercial and angling quotas on a river by river basis in the 2009 season.

The entitlement to a total allocation of 10 tags for the entire 2009 angling season remains unchanged from 2008. The revision introduced in the regulations, on the advice of the National Fisheries Management Executive (NFME), provides that anglers should be allocated a maximum of 3 tags for the period 1 January to 11 May in order to protect spring salmon. The NFME also recommended that during the period commencing 12 May 2009 to the end of the season, tags should be issued by the relevant regional fisheries board in lots of 3 or 4 subject to a maximum of 10 tags per licence holder for the entire season and to the relevant daily bag limits applying.

I am advised that the proposed changes will have no adverse impact on tourism angling as they are designed primarily to deliver better compliance and control of the tagging scheme, real-time feedback on how the harvest of salmon is progressing to ensure the surplus is not exceeded and will also lead to efficiencies in the purchase and allocation of tags.