Vol. 434 No. 10
83 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Marine if he has investigated the reasons for the total disappearance of salmon and trout from the Ballynahinch fishery system which spreads over lakes and rivers in south Connemara; the steps, if any, he intends taking to deal with this serious problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
While the recorded salmon catches in the Ballynahinch fishery are well below historical catches it is not true to say that the stocks have totally disappeared. Sea trout catches are also down but I understand that fishing effort in this fishery has been very low in recent years contributing, in part at least, to the reduced sea trout stock situation in the Connemara area generally.
I have taken a number of steps aimed at remedying this situation including the introduction of conservation by-laws and the establishment of the Sea Trout Task Force, now chaired by Dr. T. K. Whitaker. In addition a major sea trout rehabilitation programme is being undertaken by this Department in the affected area.
