Vol. 516 No. 4
28 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources where the £200,000 allocated in 1999 for the pilot scheme to assist in the reduction of salmon net activity in selected areas was used; and the results of the projects. [7908/00]
A sum of £200,000 was allocated in 1999 for pilot projects on the basis of locally agreed plans entailing a reduction of salmon net activity in certain catchments. It did not prove possible to finalise agreement and criteria for such pilot projects in 1999. The funding has been renewed for 2000.
Discussions are currently under way between my Department, the Southern Regional Fisheries Board and representatives of the Blackwater Salmon Development Group on the criteria and parameters for implementation of a pilot scheme for the Munster Blackwater for the 2000 season. It is open to the regional fisheries boards and local salmon interests to propose and develop other pilot schemes for consideration under the funding mechanism.
