Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make arrangements to allow the Coonagh licensed fishermen at Coonagh, Limerick to fish for small quantities of salmon; if he will make arrangements with the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board to allow these fishermen participate in the scientific study which identifies the origin of salmon through DNA sampling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46011/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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2057I met members of the Coonagh Fishermen's Association recently. I explained to them that the report of the Standing Scientific Committee on the Status of Irish Salmon Stocks in 2009 and Precautionary Catch Advice for 2010 advised that stocks of salmon in the River Shannon are significantly below its conservation limit. As the harvest of salmon by any means is permitted only in those rivers that are meeting their conservation limits and have an identified surplus following appropriate assessment, the Shannon will have to remain closed to both commercial (draft net) and recreational harvesters during the 2011 season.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), which replaced the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards from 1 July 2010, is currently implementing the Shannon Salmon Restoration Project Management Plan, the purpose of which is to take a fresh look at the issues facing salmon survival in the Shannon and its tributaries upstream of Limerick City.

As part of the plan, IFI will carry out an extensive genetics programme in cooperation with UCC and the ESB. I am advised that there may be an opportunity for former fishermen to be contracted by IFI to assist in aspects of the Shannon restoration project. The fishermen are aware of this from our meeting.