asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will purchase the existing salmon weirs on the Cooraclare-Doonbeg River with a view to helping the escapement of fish into the catchment area.
Written Answers. - Salmon Fisheries.
602.
I have no plans for the purchase of the existing salmon weirs on the Cooraclare-Doonbeg River.
Under the Fisheries Act, 1980 the Central Fisheries Board is empowered in certain circumstances, and subject to my authorisation with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to acquire a fishery where it is considered expedient that such acquisition is necessary for the purpose of managing, operating, protecting or developing the fishery in accordance with a development programme. I have received no such request from the Central Fisheries Board in respect of the salmon weirs referred to.
603.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will examine the possibility of having minor improvements carried out on the Cooraclare-Doonbeg River and other small salmon rivers in west Clare to help improve the escapement of salmon to the catchments.
The management, protection, development and improvement of inland fisheries is the responsibility of the local regional fisheries boards. In the circumstances I am conveying the Deputy's request to the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board for consideration.
604.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will examine the operation of the by-law prohibiting fishing on the Inagh River at the Falls, Ennistymon, with a view to having the by-law amended.
The Shannon Fisheries Region (River Inagh) By-law No. 633, 1983 prohibits all forms of fishing in the Inagh or Cullenagh River for a specified distance above and below the Ennistymon Falls. This by-law was introduced for the purpose of conserving salmon stocks in these waters.
Before the by-law was made the matter was examined in depth by my Department and the views of all interested parties were considered. The Central Fisheries Board and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board fully supported the introduction of the by-law. I have no proposals at present to amend this by-law, the retention of which is still necessary in the interest of conservation of salmon stocks.