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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - Salmon Fishing Extensions.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

117 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the extensions, if any, he has granted to date in 1997 to the draftnet or drift-net salmon fishing seasons; if so, the reason for these extensions; the scientific advice, if any, he received regarding these extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14685/97]

I received numerous requests for extensions to the 1997 commercial salmon fishing season in various regions around the coast. Having carefully considered all the submissions made to me, the advice of relevant Regional Fisheries Boards and the scientific assessments by the Central Fisheries Board and the Marine Institute, as well as the particular local circumstances, I decided as an exceptional measure to grant a limited number of extensions as follows: the draftnet fisheries in the North Western Fisheries Region, the Rivers Cashen-Feale, and the Waterford Fisheries District were extended from 1 August to 9 August, giving five days additional fishing time. The estuarial driftnet fishery in Waterford Estuary was extended from 1 August to 9 August — four days additional fishing time. The snapnet fishery in rivers Suir, Nore and Barrow was extended from 15 August to 22 August — five days extra fishing.

I am reviewing the conservation measures introduced for the 1997 season. My decisions on conservation measures for 1998 and future years will be informed by:

—a comprehensive analysis by our salmon scientists of the state of Irish salmon stocks as well as of the international data;

—the impact and effectiveness of the conservation measures taken this year, and

—an assessment of fishing effort, enforcement and compliance levels.

The international prognosis on the worrying state of salmon stocks in the North Atlantic and the initial reports available to me on Irish catches and stocks this year underline the need to continue, at minimum, with the existing conservation measures.

I have already announced my intention to move to a catchment-based approach for inland fisheries management involving and empowering all users and beneficiaries at local community level. The catchment approach will also address the specific and localised impacts of salmon management and conservation strategies through ongoing review and consultation with all stakeholders in the salmon resource.

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