Vol. 571 No. 4
155 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has yet received a report from the Central Fisheries Board on its efforts to establish areas of consensus on the Indecon report on the salmon fishery; when he will take action to conserve sal mon stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22040/03]
When the Central Fisheries Board published the economic-socio-economic evaluation of wild salmon in Ireland, which it commissioned from Indecon, international economic consultants, I asked that the board obtain the views of stakeholders to the publication with a view to identifying areas of consensus. I have been informed by the board that it hopes to submit its report by mid November 2003.
As previously stated to this House, my overriding objective is to preserve the salmon resource in its own right and for the coastal and rural communities that it helps to support. The economic goals for a sustainable commercial salmon fishery based on quality and value rather than volume and also the development of salmon angling as an important tourism product are both fully compatible with the primary objective.
There is already a regime of measures, which are being implemented through the central and regional fisheries boards, the aim of which is to first and foremost allow adequate spawning stock into our rivers through the establishment of and adherence to conservation limits. I hope that if we act collectively in a responsible manner to protect the salmon resource over the short-term, we will enhance its sustainability over the longer term to the benefit of all who depend on it. I have been urging all to support the quota reductions and bag limits on recreational anglers based on the science and socio-economic needs of the commercial sector. The Indecon evaluation now provides a greater and more up to date insight into the economic and socio-economic value of wild salmon.
