Vol. 438 No. 8
15 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many foreign anglers have abandoned Ireland because of the collapse in sea trout stocks; and the measures, if any, he is taking to address the problem.
18 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has assessed the effect on tourism in the west of Ireland following the collapse of the sea trout fisheries; if the Department of the Marine was consulted as to whether that Department's licensing of fish farms is in any way connected to the disappearance of sea trout; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
23 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he is concerned at the threat to the tourist angling industry because of the collapse of sea trout stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 18 and 23 together.
I am aware of the serious decline in stocks which has been experienced by a number of sea trout fisheries on the west coast of Ireland since 1990. This is a matter of great importance for tourism angling generally and is a concern shared with me by the Minister for the Marine.
In recent weeks, in fact, our two Departments have been in discussion, bearing in mind in particular how adverse repercussions for our tourism angling product generally can best be avoided. The Minister for the Marine has already had an action programme to address the problem of sea trout decline in operation since 1991. That programme is targeted at conservation and protection of existing stocks; the rehabilitation of stocks; improved management strategies for fish farms and continuing scientific research into the causes of sea trout declines.
