Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 2

Written Answers. - Salmon Stocks.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

16 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received complaints from the Southern Salmon and Trout Anglers Association Ltd. and from the River Suir Snap Net Fishermens' Association concerning declining salmon stocks in the Rivers Suir, Nore and Barrow; if he has investigated these complaints; and the action he intends to take.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

28 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for the Marine if he will agree to meet with the River Suir Snap Net Fishermens' Association to discuss complaints which they have made concerning declining stocks of wild salmon in the River Suir.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 28 together.

I have received a number of representations from and on behalf of fishermens' associations in relation to the decline of salmon stocks in the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir.

In reply, I wish to inform the Deputy that the decline of salmon stocks is worldwide and has been reported from Canada, Scotland, Norway and Iceland. To date no conclusive evidence has been put forward to identify the exact cause of this decline. Within the State, despite increased protection at sea and greatly increased anti-pollution measures, salmon catches generally have declined.

I am very much aware of the situation that exists in the Southern Regional Fisheries Board and particularly in relation to the Barrow, Nore and Suir. I am informed that the salmon run into these rivers has been unusually bad throughout the last three seasons. I would like to inform the Deputy that the Southern Regional Fisheries Board are doing everything in their power to monitor the situation and patrol the region.

I have received a number of requests for meetings from different interests in the region including the Southern Regional Fisheries Board. Officials of my Department earlier today met a deputation comprising representatives of the Southern Salmon and Trout Anglers Association and the River Suir Snap Net Fishermens' Association. The deputation handed in a petition on the decline of salmon stocks in the southern region. They also asked that I meet the Southern Regional Fisheries Board at an early date for a discussion on salmon conservation issues and arrangements are being made for this.