Vol. 526 No. 5
32 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will proceed with the national salmon tagging scheme from 1 January 2001; when the necessary legislation will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26928/00]
The national wild salmon tagging scheme will commence on 1 January 2001. From that date any person who catches and retains a wild salmon shall affix a gill tag to the fish and shall record the fish and the tag number in a logbook related to the fishing licence.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 103 of 17 October 2000 in which I explained that on 11 August, following consultation with the widely representative National Salmon Commission, I signed the necessary regulations for the tagging scheme. I also explained the need for further primary legislation, on the advice of the Attorney General, to provide for offences and penalties in relation to the tagging scheme. The necessary Bill has been prepared, was initiated in the Seanad and was passed by the Seanad on 15 November. Enactment of the Bill before the end of the year will ensure that there is effective enforcement of the tagging scheme from the start.
