Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 521: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a comprehensive scientific explanation for his decision to ban commercial salmon fishing on Lough Foyle under the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) Regulations 2010; if he will provide evidence that the number of migrating salmon counted going upstream in the rivers Mourne, Faughan, Roe and Finn are below the specified stock level target numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27637/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) Regulations 2010 made by the Loughs Agency, with the approval of the North South Ministerial Council, were introduced, following a long period of development and public consultation from November 2008 to February 2009. The regulations take account of the Agency's national and international obligations in managing the fishery including the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive. The regulations provide for a practical and equitable response to declining salmon stocks in the Foyle system.

I understand that the regulations provide, inter alia, for the suspension of angling or the use of nets to take Atlantic salmon or sea trout in the Foyle Area if the number of migrating salmon counted going upstream in the Rivers Mourne, Faughan, Roe and Finn are below specified stock level targets cognisant of flood or drought conditions.

I am advised that the Loughs Agency's decision to invoke these regulations and suspend commercial salmon fishing and limit recreational angling was due to the failure of the rivers in question to meet conservation limits. The decision was based on assessment by the agency's scientific advisers (the Marine Institute and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland) and fisheries managers, of data gathered from fish counters operating on the river system and in recognition of the international trend of continuing low marine survival of Atlantic Salmon.

This information, including conservation limits and spawning targets, is published by the Loughs Agency in their annual River Catchment Status Reports and can be accessed on the Agency's website, www.loughs-agency.org. The trend of decreasing survival at sea has been reported by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), most recently in the report of the ICES Advisory Committee 2010.

The regulations introduced by the Agency provide for a reopening of the fishery if stock levels improve to a point where there is a harvestable surplus.