Ireland manages salmon stocks generally on an individual river basis. Each river contains a genetically unique stock, which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood to spawn. The conservation imperative means that exploitation of salmon of each river is only permitted where the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) for salmon determine that the stock in that river is above its conservation limit. Based on the deliberations of the SSC as regards the status of each individual river stock, and in accordance with Section 69 (8) of the Inland Fisheries Act, 2010, I commenced the statutory 30 day public consultation process for the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2013 for the 2014 season. This consultation process commenced on 8 November 2013 and will end on 7 December 2013. The draft regulations are open for public inspection and are accessible on my Department’s website. Objections to and observations on proposals within the draft regulations, including the matter referred to by the Deputy, may be submitted at any time during the consultation period to:-
Inland Fisheries Division,
Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources,
Elm House,
Earlsvale Road,
Cavan
or by e-mail to inland.fisheries@dcenr.gov.ie
At the end of this consultation period I can assure that all observations and objections will be considered prior to finalisation of the draft regulations and I will arrange for a copy of the Statutory Instrument to be laid before both houses of the Oireachtas. As I am sure the Deputy will understand, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on an individual river or any individual submission until the statutory period for consultation has closed.
