Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends following the advice of the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission to end mixed stock fishing for salmon from the end of 2006 due to the continued crisis in wild salmon stocks. [6739/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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While there remains a surplus of salmon returning to Irish rivers, the Government has accepted the scientific advice that reductions in the overall fishing effort are required in order to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks nationwide. The question of how best to manage future fishing for wild Atlantic salmon is being reviewed at present in the context of setting the total allowable catch for 2006.

The National Salmon Commission, in accordance with its terms of reference, was asked to advise on how best the alignment of exploitation of salmon with scientific advice could be implemented by 2007, bearing in mind the requirement to ensure the future biological viability of salmon resources in all catchments and the needs of all stakeholders, including those who derive their living from wild salmon. I am awaiting the advice of the National Salmon Commission in this regard and, while it is disappointing that it did not arrive at a consensus at its meeting last week, I am hopeful that it can reconvene in time to submit appropriate advice on a timely basis.

I have received the advice of the Standing Scientific Committee of the commission and the advice tendered by the fisheries managers. It is my intention to publish these and any recommendations that emanate from the National Salmon Commission in the coming weeks and to make a decision. I will publish my proposed amendments to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme in March so as to afford all interested parties an opportunity to consider them prior to their introduction in April 2006.

It is clear to me that future policy must be designed to ensure the survival of the species, while balancing the interests of various stakeholders with regard to the quantum of catch that appears to be possible according to independent scientific advice on location and types of fishing.