Vol. 438 No. 7
125 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine the number of sea trout fisheries on the west coast of the country which have closed down since 1989; the dates of the closures; and the number of direct jobs lost in terms of managers, ghillies and other such positions.
I am advised by the Western Regional Fisheries Board that of some 29 privately owned sea trout and salmon fisheries in the region, seven are described as closed at present and in some cases have not operated since 1990 or 1991.
I am further advised by the board that statistics of direct employment in the private fisheries concerned are not readily available. I have requested the board to provide me with an assessment in the matter and I will advise the Deputy of the outcome in due course.
Measures to conserve and rehabilitate sea trout stocks in Western fisheries are being enhanced for 1994 and will include the renewal of by-laws under which the retention of rod caught sea trout in fisheries throughout the region has been prohibited since 1990 in order to preserve existing stocks.
