Vol. 509 No. 5
51 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of fish counters installed; the number still needed to be installed; the timeframe for the balance to be installed; and the effectiveness of the data provided for effective salmon management and conservation. [20736/99]
The up-to-date position is that 22 fish counters are already installed around the country and a further 13 will be in place by the end of the year 2000. I am providing the Deputy with a table which sets out the location and current status of all 35 counters. The investment in fish counters is being supported by the tourism angling measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999.
There are approximately 135 main stem rivers in Ireland supporting salmon populations. The goal of the project is to provide stock information for 34 of these rivers by the end of the year 2000. The counters are located in strategic locations to allow spawning target estimations to be made in specific rivers and to use these results as an index for the other rivers in the region.
The national fish counter programme is a vitally important element of salmon management policy. By providing essential data on salmon numbers and distribution it will enable real time management to be applied to the salmon resource. The fish counter programme underpins the current salmon conservation measures, the proposed salmon tagging and quota scheme and the catchment management approach. All of these are key components of an integrated and effective salmon conservation and management programme.
Tourism Angling Measure (TAM)
Fish Counter Installation Programme
|
Location |
Counter Type |
Status |
|
Salmon |
||
|
Lee (Cork) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Erne (Donegal) |
Vaki |
Operational |
|
Claddy (Donegal) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Liffey (Leixlip) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Liffey (Islandbridge) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Shannon |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Slaney (Clohamon) |
Logi/Vaki |
Operational |
|
Moy (US eel nets) |
Hydroacoustic |
Operational |
|
Kerry B/Water (Lower Bridge) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Feale (Scartleigh) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Eske (Donegal Town) |
Vaki |
Installing |
|
Corrib (Salmon Traps) |
Logi/Vaki |
Installling |
|
Boyne (Blackcastle) |
Logi/Vaki |
Installling |
|
Ballysadare (Fish Pass) |
Vaki |
Operational |
|
Foyle (Sion Mills) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Foyle (Roe River) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Foyle (Faughan River) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Foyle (Campsie River) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Foyle (Carrick River) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Foyle (Finn River) |
Logi |
Installing |
|
Sea Trout |
||
|
Casla (Connemara) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Casla (Connemara) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Erriff (Ashleigh Falls) |
Logi/Vaki |
Operational |
|
Ballinahinch (Galway) |
Logi |
Installing |
|
Ballinahinch (Galway) |
Logi |
Operational |
|
Invermore |
Vaki |
Operational |
|
Gowla |
Vaki |
Operational |
|
Garavogue (Sligo) |
Logi |
Installing |
|
Eany |
Logi |
Installing |
|
Extra Counters agreed for 1999 |
||
|
Fane (Stephenstown) |
Vaki |
Installing |
|
Dee (Dunleer) |
Vaki |
Installing |
|
Cork B/Water (Lismore) |
Logi |
Installing |
|
Suir |
Hydroacoustic |
Installing |
|
Bunowen (US Louisbourgh) |
Vaki |
Installing |
|
Bandon (at hydro plant) |
Vaki |
Installing |
