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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 4

Written Answers. - Wild Salmon Stocks.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

34 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the information, if any, he has received from the Central Fisheries Board on the state of wild salmon stocks; the progress, if any, made to date by the board on implementation of the water quality action programme announced in August 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16070/98]

The assessment of national wild salmon stocks is primarily the responsibility of the Marine Institute, in consultation with the Central Regional Fisheries Boards as well as the Salmon Research Agency. Stock assessment is based on scientific tagging programmes and the collection of data from fish counters on a number of salmon rivers. Preliminary data for 1998 confirms that the run of salmon this year has been slow. I have requested a mid season update on the state of stocks from the Marine Institute, together with an assessment and report on the stocks by reference to all currently available data, including 1997 statistics and the conservation measures in place.

I renewed the 1997 conservation measures for salmon for the 1998 season as part of my strategic objective to conserve and rebuild salmon stocks in the interest of all legitimate stakeholders in the salmon fishery. There is a priority need to maintain the salmon conservation regime as a whole, while pressing ahead with initiatives on water quality and protection of the freshwater habitat at catchment management and salmon management strategies generally.

As I advised in my replies of 27 May and 23 June last year, I have directed the Central Fisheries Board to give immediate and top priority to implementation of the six point water quality action plan. The Department is working closely with the CFB to address the resource requirements inherent in delivery on the plan.

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