Vol. 447 No. 2
102 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine the breakdown of the proposed allocation of £17 million of assistance from EU funding for inland fishery development; the way in which it is proposed to use such allocations; the job potential projected arising from such expenditure in each fishery area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3598/94]
The aim of the tourism angling programme, provided for under the Tourism Operational Programme 1994-1999, is to bring our game, coarse and sea angling to the best international standards.
The main areas of development under the programme include: physical instream and bank development; stock management programmes including measures to ensure rational use and management of sport fish stocks; establishment of new stocked coarse and game fisheries; improved systems for monitoring and protecting water quality; rehabilitation of depleted sea trout fisheries; provision of informational material for visitors and establishment of title to fisheries to ensure access for tourist anglers.
Over the period of the programme it is hoped to increase the number of overseas angling visitors from 179,000 per annum at present to 240,000 per annum. This programme of investment, it is estimated, will lead to the creation of over 1,000 new jobs.
