Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004
174 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a survey has been carried out in regard to fishing stocks on the Barrow River; the results of such a survey; the results in regard to the salmon stock; the funding available to angling clubs to restock the river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28414/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the conservation, protection and management of inland fisheries stocks rests with the local fisheries board, in this case the Southern Regional Fisheries Board. I am advised by the chief executive officer of the board that a report was commissioned by the board in 2001 on Angling Along the Barrow Navigation, which recorded a total of 510 salmon over the 17 km of river surveyed. The chief executive officer also advises that the board carried out a fish stock assessment on the River Barrow in 2002. Both of these reports were made widely available by the board at the time and I have asked the chief executive officer to ensure copies are forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
I am further advised by the chief executive officer that in 2004 the Southern Regional Fisheries Board, in co-operation with the Central Fisheries Board, has been facilitating a lamprey survey of the River Barrow and a survey of fish stocks affected by the ESB station at Great Island. According to him, these survey results are being compiled and are expected to be issued in early 2005.
I am informed by the chief executive officer that the Southern Regional Fisheries Board urges restraint with restocking programmes that could damage or impair native species on the River Barrow. The board considers that there is no evidence that a salmon restocking programme is needed for the River Barrow.
