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The Irish Government has published the report by the independent group on salmon, formed last March to investigate the implications of aligning with scientific advice for the commercial salmon fishing sector in 2007.
A Government decision on the recommendations contained in the report will be made shortly.
In March of this year the Government committed to aligning with the scientific advice for the 2007 salmon season. The Government recognised that compliance with scientific advice from 2007 onwards could mean hardship for commercial fishermen and vulnerable coastal communities. Accordingly, the Government decided to appoint the Independent Group to examine all the implications of aligning with scientific advice for commercial fishermen salmon fishing.
The Government’s primary motivation in committing to align with the scientific advice for the 2007 salmon season is that of conservation of the wild salmon species. The salmon has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s most prized fish, instilled in Ireland's traditional mythology as the Bradán feasa, the salmon of knowledge, and valued as a cultural and economic resource.
EU obligations also require Ireland to comply with the habitats directive which imposes the precautionary approach and requires an end to indiscriminate mixed stock fishing.
Expert scientific advice available shows marine survival of salmon in the North Atlantic has decreased significantly in the past decade. Less than half to one third of the salmon returning to rivers in the 1970s and 1980s are currently returning to Irish rivers. In this regard, the Government says it is vital to afford every protection to the remaining stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch. It says the current imperative must be to maintain stocks above conservation limits or at the very least halt the decline.
The Independent Group submitted the report on October 17 2006 and the Government is currently considering its findings. The report of the Independent Group is available at:
http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/Marine/Inland+Fisheries+Marine+Leisure+and+Research/Inland+Fisheries/Report+of+the+Independent+Salmon+Group.htm
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