Vol. 487 No. 7
145 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposed terms to be offered to net fishermen on the River Boyne and other fisheries to buy out licences; the payment per year in compensation; the number of years; the way in which the proposed scheme will be financed; if it will be operated by his Department or the regional fishery boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5269/98]
I can advise the Deputy that there are no proposals currently for the State to buy out commercial salmon licences on the River Boyne or elsewhere.
My immediate policy priority is to continue with the implementation of new salmon conservation and management strategies which will ensure the survival and restoration of salmon stocks in their own right and in the interests of all legitimate stakeholders in the resource. A key component of those strategies is the move to the catchment management approach. Within that framework the localised requirements and concerns of commercial and recreational fishermen will be addressed through participation and involvement in conservation and development plans for the resource.
