asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the action he proposes to take in order to rectify the serious damage which has been caused to salmon stocks on the River Slaney, up-stream of Clohamon Weir; his views on the fish pass, designed and constructed by his Department at this location proving to be utterly and totally unsatisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - River Slaney Salmon Stocks.
107.
I have no firm evidence that serious damage has been caused to salmon stocks on the River Slaney up-stream of Clohamon Weir. However, in deference to representations made to me by various angling interests I have arranged that scentists from my Department will carry out a survey of the area shortly with a view to establishing if fish are being held up at the weir and, if so, the reasons therefore and what remedial action needs to be taken.
The fish pass in the weir was constructed by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board in 1984 and designed by my Department. A counter was installed in the pass in January 1985 and it recorded 2,600 salmon moving up-stream through the fish pass in that year. It appears that the counter and pass were working satisfactorily at that time.