Vol. 574 No. 1
344 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will be able to announce details of the proposed wild salmon catch quotas for the 2004 season before the end of 2003; and if he will consider the introduction of non-transferable quotas for commercial drift and draft net fishermen. [26607/03]
I understand that the National Salmon Commission will shortly be considering the catch statistics currently being gathered by the central and regional fisheries boards under the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme for 2003. The commission is also awaiting the latest advice from its standing scientific committee on the recommended conservation levels for the stock in 2004. The chairman advises me that it is likely to be early in the new year before the commission completes its review of the tagging scheme's operation in 2003 and finalises its recommendations, including the proposed commercial catch quotas, for the operation of the scheme in 2004.
I have no proposals at present to introduce non-transferable quotas for commercial drift and draft net fishermen and would only be prepared to consider such measures should a consensus be reached by the National Salmon Commission in this regard.
345 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will make a decision on the possible introduction of a voluntary buyout scheme for commercial wild salmon netting fishermen. [26608/03]
I have no plans to introduce a buyout scheme for commercial wild salmon netting fishermen. For some time now, the Government has ruled out a buyout as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks and instead promoted the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling to achieve catch reductions as the best instrument available to achieve this objective.
The Deputy will no doubt be aware that in May 2003, the Central Fisheries Board published the report An Economic-Socio-Economic Evaluation of Wild Salmon in Ireland prepared by Indecon International economic consultants. The report is an important evaluation as it provides an up-to-date estimation of the economic and socio-economic value of the commercial and recreational salmon fishing sectors in Ireland.
When the report was published, my ministerial colleague, Deputy John Browne, asked the Central Fisheries Board to obtain the views of the stakeholders with a view to identifying areas of consensus and report to him on completion of that consultation process. I understand from the board that this process is due to be completed shortly and the Minister of State will then consider all views on the findings in the context of determining the future policies and strategies for the long-term sustainable management of this natural resource.
