Vol. 575 No. 3
219 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals before his Department to have fish counters put on rivers such as the Lannan, Culdaff, Crana and other rivers in Inishowen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28272/03]
The overall management of the national fish counter programme has to date been primarily the responsibility of the Marine Institute of Ireland which has operated directly or by subcontracting where necessary to maintain the objectives of the programme. Under this programme, the scientific model for analysis of salmon stocks continues to be refined in the light of data relating to marine survival, catches, spawning escapement and habitat. A key element of this approach is the installation and operation of fish counters on strategically located salmon index rivers around the country. Arrangements in respect of the operational, data management and quality assurance issues are being finalised by my Department for the fish counter management programme to be carried out by the regional fisheries boards in partnership with the Marine Institute in 2004. While I am advised that there are no proposals at present to install counters in the rivers mentioned by the Deputy, the question of installing any additional counters will be a matter for the fisheries boards and the Marine Institute to decide in the context of the future development of the programme.
