Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
48 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the main features of the measure announced by his Department on 11 August 2004 to protect wild Irish salmon; if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed that these measures may have a negative impact on angling/tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25634/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn late July this year, my predecessor, Deputy Browne, received unequivocal advice from all of the State agencies involved in the management of the wild salmon resource indicating that there was a poor run of salmon in 2004 and that immediate measures were necessary to reduce exploitation for the remainder of the year.
The unanimous scientific and management advice given to the Minister, indicated that the salmon run for the remainder of this year must be considered as important spawning stock necessary to ensure the sustainability of the resource into future years. In this, he was guided by the need to operate on the basis of the precautionary principle in regard to ensuring biological stock safety.
Given the serious concerns over stock levels, the Minister of State refused to extend the commercial salmon fishing season, despite claims by fishermen that they would be unable to catch the full quota allocated under the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2004. At the same time, he accepted the advice that immediate measures were necessary to reduce angling exploitation so as to ensure an increased survival level for spawning purposes during the remainder of the year.
In this regard, the Minister approved measures governing the operation of salmon angling for the remainder of the 2004 season, which were based on a recommendation by the National Salmon Commission, and from 1 September, reduced the daily permissible catch limit for anglers from three fish to one fish subject to the existing maximum levels per annum. The Minister of State believed that this proposal by the National Salmon Commission delivered a practical mechanism to effect the protection of salmon stocks while acknowledging the important role angling plays in attracting tourists to Ireland. The recommendation afforded the continuation of the season for tourism angling into September but at the same time minimised the impact on our valuable wild salmon stocks.
50 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has carried out a study of the effects of fish stocks of large factory ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25776/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, the assessment and monitoring of fish stocks is carried out by the Marine Institute. In addition to surveys and other studies and biological analyses, this stock assessment work would also typically involve analysis of catches by vessels in the various stocks.
The scientific work carried out by the Marine Institute feeds into the work of other scientific bodies around Europe and these collaborative research efforts provide the necessary data to determine the current status of EU fish stocks.
In so far as the stocks in most difficulty are concerned, there is particular concern about a number of key whitefish stocks of importance to Irish fishermen, in particular cod in the Irish Sea, cod to the west of Scotland and, also, northern hake. These stocks are not, however, fished by factory ships.
