asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals he has to develop the fishery resources in the Blackwater and other Munster salmon fisheries; if he will adequately fund the fishery boards to ensure the protection of the waters from pollution; if he will introduce a system of tagging in keeping fish registered; and if he will involve Bord Fáilte and the many fishing clubs throughout Munster in efforts to see that no further damage is done to salmon fishing.
Written Answers. - Salmon Fisheries.
127.
The development of inland fisheries is the responsibility of the fisheries boards. Resources are allocated by my Department to the boards to meet the cost of their overall functions. It is a matter for each board to allocate the available resources for individual functions such as development work and pollution control.
A tagging and quota system for salmon is one of the alternative measures for salmon conservation recommended by the Salmon Review Group whose report I recently received. I have accepted this proposal in principle and my Department are at present formulating arrangements for its implementation. When these arrangements have been finalised I will arrange consultations with fishing interests with a view to the early introduction of the system.
I would of course welcome any assistance which Bord Fáilte, fishing clubs and other organisations could give the fisheries boards towards the protection and conservation of salmon stocks.