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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 3

Written Answers. - Salmon Tagging.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

25 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, his Department has to introduce a tagging system for the carcasses of salmon following capture, similar to the system being used in Canada and France as a method of monitoring catches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7912/98]

Michael Bell

Ceist:

30 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, his Department has to introduce new methods of evaluating the status of salmon stock in each catchment area; his views on whether the method is inadequate and can be improved by other available methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7913/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 30 together.

I outlined in my earlier reply to the House my approach to progressing the recommendations of the salmon management task force for a salmon tagging and quota regime. The technical report commissioned from the Marine Institute outlines the three year programme of action needed to deliver a "real time" salmon management system. I have put that report out for discussion, analysis and feedback on the practical realities of delivering on this ambitious agenda. Concurrently the process of assessing the legislative, staffing, funding and enforcement implications inherent in this programme is under way.
Reliable and consistent scientific and catch data on the status of salmon stocks are essential to inform salmon management strategies at catchment and national level for determining spawning targets and for quantifying and setting sustainable catch levels. The need for more fish counters in key salmonid rivers and catchments which will provide objective "realtime" data on stocks is being addressed through the current fish counter programme being undertaken by the Marine Institute and the Salmon Research Agency. Ongoing tagging programmes for scientific purposes, as opposed to carcase tagging which is a separate issue, and the development of databases will also contribute to an enhanced capability to accurately quantify the status of salmon stocks, thus informing and underpinning ongoing conservation and management strategies for the salmon resource.
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