I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 49, 53, 56, 60 and 300 together.
I established the salmon management task force in October 1995 because of concern about the serious decline in salmon stocks. The mandate of the task force was to develop practical proposals for the management of wild salmon stocks, with full regard for those with legitimate rights in salmon exploitation.
The report of the task force confirmed the need to rebalance the salmon catch between the various sectors and the need for a new approach to salmon management. I received Government approval in September 1996 to take forward the implementation of the report's main recommendations, in consultation with all the various interests involved. I also referred the report of the task force to the Select Committee on Enterprise and Economic Strategy and I look forward to having an opportunity in the coming weeks to discuss the report at that committee.
The new salmon management strategy recommended by the task force involves a package of conservation measures designed to secure and augment salmon stocks, a move to management on a local catchment basis and the introduction of a quota system to ensure a fair share of the resource among the various legitimate interests. The conservation regulations I have recently introduced with effect from this year's salmon fishing season completes the first phase of implementation of the new salmon management regime. At home and abroad there has been general acceptance of the new measures introduced for 1997. The measures contain gains as well as losses for the different sectors in the interest of optimising the resource.
With regard to the expressed concerns about the impact of the new conservation measures on the draft-net fishery, I have already decided, following consultation with draft-net and snap-net fishermen, not to restrict these tidally dependent fisheries to daylight hours only. The weekend close period has also been staggered between the drift and draft-net fisheries which will allow the draft-netsmen one clear day each week when there will be no drift-net activity.
Overall the package of measures I have introduced so far is essential if salmon stock declines are to be halted through improved spawning and escarpment and if this valuable resource is to be protected in the future. I have taken careful note of the specific concerns raised by Deputies on behalf of draft-netsmen and estuarial drift-nets-men in certain areas or particular estuaries. These specific situations can best be dealt with by taking a local catchment management approach.
Catchment management plans, drawn up with the positive participation of all legitimate salmon interests in the area will, by definition, cater for the specific needs of each catchment area. I have asked the regional fisheries boards to take the lead in facilitating discussions between local commercial fishermen and angling groups with a view to developing local catchment plans. I will give positive and favourable consideration to all such proposals.
The key elements of the second phase of the new salmon management strategy are progressing the proposals for a quota and tagging system and the introduction on a formal basis, of local catchment management strategies. At my request, the marine institute is carrying out a thorough technical and scientific assessment of the TAC quota and tagging recommendations. This study together with the preparation of the legislative changes which will be required will be completed as quickly as possible.