Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 365: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of each River Boyne tributary which is fertile for spawning salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8315/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 366: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the wetted area statistics for each of the salmon spawning tributaries on the River Boyne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8316/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.

I have been advised by the Central Fisheries Board that the report "Quantification of the freshwater salmon habitat asset in Ireland" published by the Central Fisheries Board in 2003, identified the River Boyne catchment as the fifth largest salmon system in Ireland on the basis of its total wetted area of 6,695,412 sq. m.

I understand that wetted area statistics for each individual salmon tributary on the River Boyne were not computed for the wetted area report as this report presents the data for individual systems above their tidal limit only. For the River Boyne the wetted area statistics are presented for all larger channels combined upstream of the tidal limit at Drogheda.

I am informed that there is no other published information on wetted areas specifically for the Boyne. Percentages for individual productive spawning areas are not available for any tributary of the river as the wetted area information in the report is not presented for individual tributaries. Therefore, the full extent of wetted area of catchment accessible to salmon is used, irrespective of the habitat type present.