Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1254. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the total allowable catch for Loughros More commercial salmon fishing is calculated by Inland Fisheries Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36084/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The total allowable catch for Loughros Mor commercial salmon (Owenea/Owentocker) fishing is calculated on the basis set out below.

The status for the Rivers Owenea and Owentocker are analysed by the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon (SSCS) annually based on the best available information for these rivers using angler logbook returns, catchment wide electrofishing, commercial fishing catch etc. The SSCS determine the conservation limit (CL) and surplus afforded to both salmon rivers, following which Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) management make a recommendation on the future catch options based on the best information available. These recommendations are published and following a 30 day public consultation the future catch options associated with each individual river/estuary for the following fishing season is set.

The surplus or deficit is determined based on the most recent 5 years of data.  The Rivers Owenea and Owentocker CL is now fixed at 1,690 salmon.  For the 2017 season both rivers are open for the harvesting of salmon with a combined surplus of 320.  This surplus was calculated by taking the average recorded salmon rod catch and the commercial salmon catch over the past 5 years of data.

Following consultation by IFI management with the Fishery District Committee, which includes representatives from the commercial fishery and salmon anglers, the surplus was split on a 50:50 basis between angling and commercial salmon fishing with the commercial portion allocated to Loughros Mor commercial salmon fishery.