Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Atlantic Salmon Plight.

Michael P. Kitt

Ceist:

445 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for the Marine the representations, if any, he has received concerning the plight of the wild Atlantic salmon; and the action, if any, he is taking to support this valuable international resource. [6584/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

The Salmon Management Task Force was established in October 1995. Its brief 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 primary policy objective is the conservation of wild salmon stocks and to maximise on a sustainable basis the value to the economy of the wild salmon resource. The decision to initiate a thoroughgoing review of salmon management strategies in full consultation with all relevant interests in order to inform future policy directions was taken in light of the ongoing national and international debate on the conservation and management needs for the wild Atlantic salmon resource, reflected in the very many submissions made to me and subsequently to the Task Force.