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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Inland Fisheries.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

286 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he plans to address the inadequacies of the fishery authorities in respect of reversing the dramatic decline of inland fish stocks, which is seeing a very valuable resource, coarse fishing, going the way of sea angling, particularly on the east coast, where there are now almost no fish for angling. [22578/02]

While the prime economic value of the inland fisheries resource is in the tourism-angling product, there is an ecological imperative to conserve and protect this unique resource in its own right. The resource also makes a qualitative contribution to local life as a recreational activity and a traditional socio-economic contribution to local communities in terms of commercial fishing for salmon, trout and eels.

My Department has overall policy responsibility for the conservation, management, regu lation and development of the inland fisheries resource. The central and regional fisheries boards are responsible for policy advice, co-ordination, services and implementation. There is no doubt that the need to ensure the continued viability and economic and social contribution of the inland fisheries sector consistent with resource constraints is a major challenge, which is being faced by my Department and the boards.
My Department is in the process of drawing up a new strategy statement at present, which will set out our objectives for the inland fisheries sector. The boards are also preparing their corporate plans for 2002 to 2006. These will address,inter alia, the ongoing management of the inland fisheries resource including coarse fishing throughout the country. Continual assessment of the structure and mandates of the fisheries boards are key elements of the framework for going forward. I assure the Deputy that my Department is fully committed to working with the central and regional fisheries boards to achieve our shared objectives.
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