Sir, - I note with interest your report on salmon stocks (The Irish Times, November 10th). It is with growing frustration that I watch the Minister for the Marine's indecision on this matter.
There is incontrovertible evidence that catches by commercial drift-net fishermen are leading to the demise of the salmon. Unless Ireland agrees to a plan to protect the species, as has been done in the Faeroes, Greenland and Iceland, the salmon faces an uncertain future.
Nine out of 10 professional netsmen have indicated their support for the buy-out proposal from the North Atlantic Salmon Fund. This comprehensive plan for Ireland would restore salmon stocks and protect the fish in the long term. Conservation is a must, together with fair and voluntary agreements with substantial compensation for the fishermen in question.
A national buy-out must be put in place to preserve stocks of wild salmon before greed, poor management and an indifferent Government further reduce the numbers of salmon returning to Irish rivers. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr Mary White, Deputy Leader, Green Party, Killedmond, Co Carlow.