Vol. 530 No. 2
37 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the salmon tagging scheme recently introduced is being complied with; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many fishing groups are opposed to this scheme; and the steps he will take to apply the law in this regard. [3362/01]
As I have already advised the House, the tagging scheme for wild salmon and sea trout was introduced on 1 January 2001 to provide a verifiable count of the wild salmon catch by all sectors. Salmon tagging is recognised internationally as an important management information tool to inform conservation strategies. The scheme was first recommended by the salmon task force in 1996 and endorsed by the Oireachtas in debates on the two Fisheries (Amendment) Bills in 1999 and 2000.
I have been informed by the fisheries boards that compliance with the tagging of fish caught has been satisfactory overall. One angling organisation has, however, been vocal in its opposition to the logbook requirements in particular. I have met the organisation in question and set out my position on each of their five stated areas of concern. On the information being sought in the logbook, I have decided that the amount of information to be supplied will be reduced forthwith. This step will build confidence in the tagging scheme overall and lead to compliance by all concerned with the legal requirements of the tagging scheme. My Department is putting in train the necessary legal and other steps. I will also be asking the national salmon commission to further review the logbook requirements for 2002 in the light of experience this year.
