John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 987: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to alter by-law No. 857 of 2009 to permit drift net fishing in the Youghal and Blackwater tidal area in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37969/09]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the primary motivation in aligning the future management of the wild salmon fishery with the scientific advice and the introduction of the appropriate regulations to cease mixed stock fishing is the conservation of wild salmon stocks. The harvest of salmon by commercial and recreational means is only permitted in those rivers that are meeting their conservation limits and which have an identified surplus.

The Salmon and Trout Conservation (Prohibition on Use of Drift Nets and Other Engines) Bye-Law No. 857, 2009, prohibits drift net and other engine fishing for salmon and trout in all fishery districts including the Lismore Fishery District. These arrangements were put in place because of the status of stocks in rivers including the Blackwater and its tributaries.

I await the scientific advice on the performance of the fishery in 2009 and the status of the stocks, together with the management advice for the 2010 season. Informed by this advice, the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for 2010 will provide for, among other things, the quota of salmon that can be harvested by commercial and recreational fishermen, on a river by river basis, during the 2010 season.

These regulations will shortly be published for public consultation in accordance with the statute. These regulations and associated conservation bye-laws will be introduced before the commencement of the 2010 season.