asked the Minister for the Marine the progress his Department have made in examining the Salmon Fisheries Review report; the recommendations in the report which he proposes to act upon; and when he envisages the implementation of any such decisions.
Written Answers. - Salmon Fisheries Review.
36.
The Salmon Review Group report was published in January 1988. The report covered all aspects of salmon fishing and made a number of major policy recommendations as well as putting forward a wide range of specific suggestions.
Submissions were invited from interested parties. In all 77 submissions were received. These revealed a lack of consensus on some of the central elements of the report's recommendations.
Examination of the report by my Department has also shown that implementation in many instances would require increased finance, other resources and, in respect of some of the main items, complex amending legislation.
Developments over the last year have also highlighted the fact that salmon issues cannot be divorced from inland fisheries development generally.
I am, nevertheless, determined to press ahead as rapidly as possible and in so far as the resources available to me will allow, with the implementation of as many elements of the report as is feasible.
Significant progress has already been made in tackling pollution issues and the protection capability has been improved.
Together with some of my Cabinet colleagues, I was involved in the ministerial group who considered the problem of water pollution. Following our deliberations my colleague the Minister for the Environment set about the preparation of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Bill which was recently published. In addition the fisheries boards, together with bodies such as Teagasc and local authorities were involved in a task force designed to increase public awareness of and to prevent pollution where possible. I am glad to report that their efforts were rewarded by a significant improvement in the situation in 1988.
The Navy has recently purchased two new vessels. Their suitability for inshore work such as salmon protection duties should allow a significant improvement in enforcement thereby ensuring the better conservation of salmon stocks.
On development and conservation aspects generally, I have initiated the preparation of a comprehensive development plan in consultation with the fisheries boards. Proposals for salmon will be fully integrated with plans for other fresh water species.
The proper implementation of any development plan may require legal and structural changes. Some of the recommendations of the Salmon Review Group may be particularly important in that regard and will be specifically examined in that context.