Vol. 521 No. 2
65 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has had investigations made into or secured detailed information regarding the buy-out system for salmon fisherman licences operating in Greenland and the Faroes; if he has or is considering a buy-out system for drift or drift nets licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16373/00]
I have requested the National Salmon Commission, among a number of priorities, to analyse and advise me on all the options for incentivising the reduction of commercial salmon fishing effort. In considering the very complex issues inherent in buy-out strategies in particular, the commission will be informed by experience elsewhere as well as the specific factors which apply in the Irish context.
My Department is currently providing co-funding in respect of two pilot schemes for "set-aside". Both of these schemes are at catchment level and I have requested the regional fisheries boards to encourage the various players in their regions and catchments to develop further similar pilot projects based on consensus and local contribution.
