Vol. 481 No. 4
78 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the procedure used to access and grant licences during the course of the eel survey carried out over the past six years on the Shannon catchment area. [16355/97]
80 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the eel survey carried out by the ESB and other parties complies with the conservation measures as applied by his Department. [16357/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 80 together.
With regard to the procedures followed by the ESB in the carrying out of the eel survey, it first submits a request to the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources for an authorisation under section 14 of the 1959 Act to fish for eels. After consultation with the local Regional Fisheries Board and the Marine Institute for their scientific advice on the possible effect on stocks, I consider whether to grant the authorisation and what conditions to attach to it, in the light of local circumstances and the requirements of conservation. Having received an authorisation, the ESB then secures licences from the regional board, nominates fishermen to fish those licences and issues permits to each nominee.
I am satisfied that all conditions attached to the authorisations are complied with in carrying out the survey, and that it is in keeping with the conservation regime in place. The survey's purpose is to provide a foundation of reliable data on eel stocks, which will allow the introduction of increasingly focused and sophisticated management measures, with substantial benefits for conservation.
