Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1998

Vol. 490 No. 2

Written Answers - Salmon Management Report.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

95 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has considered the submission made to him by the Irish Fishermen's Organisation regarding the implementation of the recommendation of the salmon task force; the steps, if any, he will take to implement the task force report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10070/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The Deputy will be aware that I recently published the report by the Marine Institute on the practical implementation of the tagging and quota system recommended by the salmon management task force for discussion, assessment and feedback by all the interested parties.

I have received a submission from the Irish Fisherman's Organisation giving its observations on the report which will be carefully considered along with all other observations made.

I have already reintroduced in 1998 the key conservation measures recommended by the salmon management task force: shorter fishing seasons, a reduction in the prescribed maximum number of licences, the reduction in the sea fishing area from 12 to six nautical miles from the baselines, the deferral of the commencement date for the driftnet fishery at sea to June, the deferral of the commencement date for the draftnet fishery to 12 May, the reduction of fishing time to four days per week and day only fishing for driftnet at sea and renewal of last year's permissions in relation to monofilament netting.

The consultation and feedback process on the fundamental issues involved in translating the tagging and quota concept into practical reality is critically informing my considerations of the legislative, structural and resource requirements inherent in the proposals. In the meantime, a number of the practical initiatives timetabled in the Marine Institute report for 1998 continue to be progressed.