Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent by the central and regional fisheries board on the Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir over the past five years; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures and indicate if there are any counters along the River Barrow and if not, the way the number of salmon in the river is estimated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21960/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have been advised by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board that expenditure incurred for the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow during the period 2005 – 2009 can be found in the following table.

I understand that the Central Fisheries Board has also undertaken works on the three rivers but does not have the figure for its total spend to hand. I have asked the Board to forward this information to you directly. I have been informed by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board that there is no counter on the River Barrow. However, the Board did operate a temporary counter on a tributary of the river for a short period during 2009 as part of an educational project. The performance of all salmon rivers is assessed by the Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) using a standard methodology. Fish counters represent only one of the methods by which salmon stock levels are assessed. In calculating the estimated salmon run, reliance is also placed by the Committee on catch data and surveys by the Boards' staff of spawning beds, fish populations and habitats, as well as juvenile electro-fishing results.

The Committee sets out how the required number of salmon to maintain good stock status in the catchment is calculated in their annual report. The number of fish above this conservation limit is available as a surplus for exploitation. Further details on individual catchments are set out in the Committee's most recent report at www.dcenr.gov.ie. The Committee estimates that the Barrow (including Pollmounty waters) will only reach 40% of its conservation limit in 2010.