Vol. 566 No. 1
379 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to address the concerns of the River Suir Snapnet Fisheries Association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11796/03]
Within the last week, my colleague and Minister of State, Deputy John Browne, has signed regulations revising the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme for 2003. These regulations provide, among other things, for quotas in each of the 17 fishery districts, including the Waterford district, for commercial fishing of wild salmon and sea trout. The quota set for each district was decided by the Minister of State on the advice of the National Salmon Commission, which is representative of all stakeholders in the sector including the snapnet fishermen.
Under the revised regulations, the chief executive officer of the regional fisheries board is given the statutory responsibility and accountability to manage and operate the distribution of quotas in each district following consultation with the fishery district committee. The membership of the Waterford fishery district committee is made up of members of the regional fisheries board who are representative of all the commercial fishermen in the district, including the snapnet fishermen. I have asked the chief executive officer of the Southern Regional Fisheries Board to advise the Deputy directly on the details of the operation of the tagging scheme in the Waterford district.
