Vol. 541 No. 2
206 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the results of the tagging scheme for salmon; if all sectors involved with this scheme have fully complied with the regulations; if he will consider amending the regulations for next season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21456/01]
The data deriving from the operation of the tagging scheme in year one will not be available until all returns for 2001 are made in accordance with the tagging regulations. The data collection is currently under way and the Central Fisheries Board has informed me that it will take a number of weeks after the end of the angling season to complete the collation and analysis of the data. The salmon season ended on 30 September and the sea trout season ends on 12 October. The Central Fisheries Board advises that compliance with the scheme during the commercial and angling seasons has been generally satisfactory. Amendments are under consideration to the log book content for next season with a view to reducing the amount of information to be completed by both anglers and distributors. The National Salmon Commission will continue to consider and advise me on the operation of the tagging scheme generally.
