Vol. 458 No. 7
31 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Marine if he has set up a task force to examine future requirements for salmon fishing policy; if so, the make-up of the task force; its terms of reference; and when its findings will be available. [17472/95]
I announced the establishment of the salmon management working group in October this year. The brief of the working group is to develop practical proposals for the management of wild salmon stocks, in line with stated policy objectives and with full regard for the interests of those with legitimate rights in salmon exploitation be they commercial or angling.
The working group is chaired by Professor Noel Wilkins of UCG. The other members of the group are Mr. Patrick Byrne, angling representative; Mr. T.P. Ó Conchúir of Ballydavid Fishermen's Association; Mr. Harry Lloyd, Northern Regional Fisheries Board; Mr. John Browne, inspector, Fisheries Research Centre; Mr. Niall McCutcheon, principal officer, Inland Fisheries Division and Ms Mary Kinsella, Inland Fisheries Division, (secretary to the group).
I have asked the group to take account of a number of policy guidelines on salmon management. These include:
—The primary goal is the conservation of wild salmon stocks.
—Account must be taken of the international pressure on salmon stocks.
—Fishing effort for wild salmon needs to be managed on a catchment basis.
—The sustainable development of the salmon resource must be grounded in the support of local communities and fishermen.
—The salmon regulations must make sense and be respected by the majority of the industry to be effective.
—A new spirit of partnership is needed with coastal communities to manage the wild salmon resources effectively.
The group has begun its work and will continue intensive sessions over the coming weeks. It will consult widely with all relevant interests and to that end has invited written submissions in addition to planning a series of regional consultations shortly. I expect the group to report to me early in 1996.
