Quotas for salmon catches are expected to be cut by 15 per cent tomorrow at a meeting of the National Salmon Commission.
Proposals for the cuts were agreed in Galway yesterday at a meeting facilitated by the Minister for Marine, Mr Frank Fahy. The Central & Regional Fisheries Boards and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) also attended.
Data gathered by scientists from the Marine Institute and Central Fisheries Board indicated the cuts are needed to protect stocks.
The Minister welcomed the proposals. He acknowledged the change to a quota based system for commercial fishermen and bag limits for anglers, would result in short-term restrictions.
However, he said, "these conservation measures will protect and enhance the long-term sustainability of the wild salmon resource for all stakeholders".
The measures proposed include reductions in some fishery districts of 5 to 15 per cent in the numbers of wild salmon commercial fishermen can catch this year.
Catches in 2002 will be capped at the 1997-2001 levels in those fisheries districts where the scientific advice is that reductions in catches are not necessary to achieve conservation limits.
"The intention is to move to scientifically derived conservation limits on a progressive basis over the next five years", Mr Fahy said.
Fishery scientists have also been asked to meet representatives of the commercial fishermen around the country to explain the scientific data and outline the process of restoring salmon stocks.