Michael Finucane
Question:81 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total cost involved in the installation of 16 fish counters; and the programme for the installation of the fish counters. [8098/98]
Written Answers. - Fish Counter Programme.
The current national salmon and sea trout fish counter programme under the aegis of the Marine Institute will see the progressive installation of 14 additional fish counters on key catchments and refurbishment of two existing fish counters by end 1999. Most of these counters are scheduled to be in place by end of this year. The total cost of the investment programme is projected to be around £540,000 the bulk of which is EU funded.
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 will give a significant enhanced level of regional catchment coverage. The programme will be evaluated on an ongoing basis as the counters become operational with a view to further expansion of the counter network after 1999.