Robert Molloy
Ceist:28 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received a report from the Irish Fisherman's Organisation on proposals for future management of salmon stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2137/96]
Written Answers. - Salmon Stocks.
Austin Deasy
Ceist:40 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine if he will initiate a Dáil Debate on the report of the Salmon Review Body which was published in 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1898/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 40 together.
The report of the Salmon Review Group was finalised in 1987. It is an admirable report in many respects, and is ambitious and wide-ranging in its analysis and findings in relation to salmon management policy issues at the time.
However, some eight years on, and given international and national developments since 1987, I decided last year that our national salmon policy needed to be comprehensively revisited. I also concluded that policy objectives should be informed by a thorough review of salmon management strategies backed up by full consultation with concerned interests.
Accordingly, as I have previously advised the House, I established the Salmon Management Task Force last October. The remit is to develop practical proposals for the management of wild salmon stocks, in line with stated policy objectives on conservation and development and with full regard for the interest of those with legitimate rights in salmon exploitation be they commercial or angling. In developing their proposals, I asked the task force to widely consult all relevant interest groups and to take account of a number of policy guidelines on salmon management as follows: the primary goal is the conservation of wild salmon stocks; account to be taken of the international pressure on salmon stocks; fishing effort for wild salmon to be managed on a catchment basis; the sustainable development of the salmon resource to be grounded in the support of local communities and fishermen; the salmon regulations to make sense and be respected by the majority of the industry to be effective; a new spirit of partnership with coastal communities to manage the wild salmon resources effectively.
The task force under the chairmanship of Professor Noel Wilkins UCG, has been working intensively since inception and as part of its work has held a series of regional public consultations around the country. Those debates, I understand, have been frank, open and have made a positive contribution to the developing thinking of the task force.
In that context I have received a copy of the IFO's submission to the task force setting out the organisation's proposals for the future management of salmon stocks. The IFO submission is being carefully considered by the task force, with over 200 other submissions received to date. The level and intensity of interest reflected in the large number of submissions and views expressed confirms my own belief that the time was ripe for a renewed national debate on future directions for salmon policy.
I look forward to receiving, and publishing, the task force report at an early date (probably end March) and subsequently, to a full and constructive debate on its findings and conclusion in this House and indeed elsewhere.