Vol. 483 No. 3
93 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that the composition of the Central Fisheries Board reflects the appropriate knowledge and experience of inland fisheries; if he will outline the composition of the current board; and the organisations, if any, they represent. [20128/97]
99 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that the regional fisheries boards reflect the various interest groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20134/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 99 together.
The Central Fisheries Board membership, in accordance with the Fisheries Act, 1980, consists of the chairpersons of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards and six other persons appointed by the Minister of the day. One of the six ministerial appointees is an official of my Department.
The regional boards which are also constituted in accordance with the Fisheries Act, 1980, consist of elected members from the fisheries sector, including angling and commercial netsmen, in a region and seven ministerial appointees.
As I advised the House last week, I am comprehensively reviewing the structures, services and organisation of the inland fisheries sector with a view to implementing the necessary degree of change, both legislative and organisational, to deliver on my strategic objectives for the inland fisheries resource. My objective is to ensure effective and efficient delivery of service and best deployment of human and financial resources.
On taking up office I requested the Central Fisheries Board to draw up, as a priority, a five year inland fisheries development plan. I expect to receive its plan shortly. My decisions on future strategic directions for inland fisheries, including the composition of the boards, will be fully informed by this plan, together with the Comptroller and Auditor General's recent report on the management of inland fisheries, the salmon management task force report and successive consultancy reports into the organisation and management of the inland fisheries service.
94 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the recommendations, if any, which have been implemented by the Central Fisheries Board based on two consultancy reports; and, if so, if he will give details of these recommendations. [20129/97]
98 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the cost, if any, of the 1994 Consultants Report which reviews the Central Fisheries Operation. [20133/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 98 together.
In 1994 the Central Fisheries Board commissioned Coopers & Lybrand to carry out a review of operations of the central and regional boards. The cost of this study and subsequent advice on the study was £64,849.
A consultancy report was subsequently commissioned in 1995 to examine the entire fisheries service, encompassing sea fisheries, inland fisheries and relevant agencies. As I have already informed the House, I am in the process of reviewing the structures, services and organisation of the inland fisheries sector with a view to implementing the necessary degree of change, both legislative and organisational, to deliver on my strategic objectives for the inland fisheries resource.
These reports along with the Comptroller and Auditor General's helpful report on the management of inland fisheries, the salmon management task force report, published in June 1996, and the board's own five year development plan which will be launched shortly, will inform my decisions on future strategic directions for inland fisheries.
95 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of fish counters that have been provided to date to provide appropriate data of the salmon and sea trout in Irish rivers; the ultimate target to be achieved in this regard; when this target will be achieved; and, if so, if it will embrace all the river catchment systems. [20130/97]
There are ten fish counters currently operational in Irish rivers for quantifying salmon and sea trout stocks. A significant capital programme of investment in fish counters is under way which will see the progressive installation of at least 14 additional fish counters on key catchment systems within two years, with the bulk of these to be in place by the end of next year.
Fish counters are an essential management tool in the quantifying and monitoring of salmon and sea trout stocks and spawning targets, which in turn informs ongoing management conservation and development strategies. The present counter installation programme is designed to achieve a significantly enhanced level of regional catchment coverage. This will be evaluated as the counters become operational with a view to further expansion of the counter network as necessary.
