Brian O'Shea
Question:84 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if there is a scientifically based assessment of the national salmon stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9673/02]
Written Answers. - Salmon Management Report.
The Marine Institute informs me that its scientific assessment of the national salmon stock is based on data from four programme areas. These programme areas are: catches by the commercial and recreational fisheries, fish counters on index rivers for salmon, giving upstream migration data, freshwater habitat data, based on surveys and geographical information systems, the coded wire tagging programme, giving survival and exploitation data. Based on the latest scientific assessment, the Marine Institute informs me that average spawning escapement is below the conservation limit in nine of the 17 fishery districts in the State.