Vol. 551 No. 2
36 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the main features of the agreement reached at the recent meeting he convened with the Garda to combat illegal fishing and attacks on fisheries protection staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9897/02]
71 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his plans to clamp down on illegal fishing and poaching of salmon; the level of this illegal fishing; if he proposes to increase the penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9060/02]
138 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps he has taken or proposes to take to protect wild salmon fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10309/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 71 and 138 together.
Poaching is a deeply anti-social activity which has no place in the wild salmon sector which I wish to see developed on the basis of an excellent recreational activity and on the basis of a high quality food product in which consumers can have confidence.
My purpose in convening the top level meeting attended by senior gardaí and the fisheries boards' chief executives was to intensify in a targeted way the enforcement of fisheries legislation with particular attention on those areas where poaching is carried out by gangs prepared to use violence against the servants of the State. The meeting was an opportunity to review, in particular, the operation of the wild salmon tagging scheme and its role in stamping out poaching and the trade in illegally caught salmon. It was agreed that the Garda Síochána and the fisheries boards will target areas with high levels of illegal fishing through increased co-operation, intelligence gathering, information exchange and mutual support. This co-operation will take place at the local levels in the regions and at senior headquarters levels between the two law enforcement agencies.
My intention is that this concentrated and sustained campaign will see an end to poaching which is depleting the salmon resource and damaging the social and economic life of local communities. I stress that it is an offence to be in possession of, or trade in, an untagged salmon and that the salmon tagging regulations specifically provide for the legal obligations on persons operating hotels, restaurants and other catering establishments.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 29 of 6 February 2002 in which I stated that I have requested the Central Fisheries Board to review the salmon protection programme in advance of this year's peak fishing season. When I am informed of the results of this review I will consider any proposed changes or improvements to the protection regime.
