Vol. 482 No. 7
28 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he justifies extending the fishing season into August after refusing to do so in early July based on the information from the scientific people and others who are attempting to improve the stocks. [19007/97]
I received numerous requests this summer for extensions to the commercial 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 exceptinal measure, to grant extensions in just three specific areas: the North-Western Fisheries Region, the Rivers Cashen-Feale, and the Waterford Fisheries District — effectively allowing fishermen in the relevant areas up to five days' additional fishing time.
My key policy objective is to secure the future for salmon in its own right and in the economic interests of the rural and coastal communities which it supports. I am, therefore, working to conserve and enhance salmon stocks in the interest of all legitimate stakeholders in the resource. In that context, as I previously advised the House, my immediate priority is to review the various salmon conservation measures introduced for the 1997 season, and I have asked the Marine Institute, the Central Fisheries Board and the Salmon Research Agency to provide me with a comprehensive assessment of the impact and effectiveness of the salmon conservation measures taken this year. I hope to have this shortly, but I say that initial reports available to me on catches and stocks highlight the need at least to continue with existing conservation measures.
