Vol. 493 No. 4
44 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the implications, if any, there are for Irish driftnet salmon fishermen following the recent decision by EU fishery ministers to ban driftnets for certain activities and in certain localities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16229/98]
There are no direct implications for salmon driftnet fishermen arising from the recent Council decision to ban driftnets in the North Atlantic Albacore tuna fishery for 2002. Salmon management and conservation strategies, which are a national matter, will continue to be geared to securing the future for salmon in its own right and in the economic interests of our rural and coastal communities. I am committed to progressing the necessary strategies to conserve and enhance salmon stocks in the interests of all legitimate stakeholders in the resource be they commercial or angling, in line with the conservation imperative.
