Vol. 482 No. 7
13 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he received the proposals from the Marine Institute in relation to the report of the Salmon Development Task Force; the consultations, if any, which have taken place with relevant interests in this regard; when he intends to make decisions in relation to the task force recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19029/97]
The Marine Institute has recently forwarded its feasibility study on the introduction of a total allowable catch, quota and tagging regime for salmon which was a key recommendation of the salmon management task force. In parallel with the Department's examination of these proposals, I propose to disseminate the document to all relevant players in the salmon sector and invite their views. This wide-ranging consultative process will inform decisions on this new management strategy and is essential if we are to continue and build on the hard won consensus on future directions for salmon management which the task force achieved so admirably.
