SAVING THE SALMON

Brickbats and bouquets will come as no surprise to the authors of the new report to Government on salmon management

Brickbats and bouquets will come as no surprise to the authors of the new report to Government on salmon management. As the first such initiative - in almost a decade, the task force appointed last year was given a difficult brief. Ireland is one of the "strongholds" of wild Atlantic salmon, but the debate over its stewardship is usually charged with emotion, with less regard for cold, hard fact.

First, the good news from the report. In spite of perceptions to the contrary, the stocks are not in extremis. But there are up to 40 reasons why the fish does not thrive in our waters, it says. Illegal commercials fishing is just one of many - pollution is a major factor - while legal driftnetting is "not the only, and may not even be the main cause, of the perceived decline". In fact, the report says, "vociferous" calls for a ban on driftnetting have been counter productive. With goodwill and appropriate endeavour, it sees no reason why the stocks cannot be enhanced, and it outlines an action plan for the Minister of State for the Marine, Mr Eamon Gilmore, to implement.

The plan includes a shift in the commercial season, a six mile limit on fishing at sea to ensure that only those fish destined for a particular catchment are netted, quotas, community involvement on regional fisheries boards, and tagging at sale to monitor legal activity. It advocates establishment of a salmon management commission, and lays much emphasis on equitable sharing of a common resource.

That the report has not recommended a driftnet ban will raise some eyebrows. Compiled by an experienced panel under the chairmanship of Professor Noel Wilkins of University College, Galway, the study notes how unsatisfactory management at home has contrasted with the international situation, where there is increasing opposition to non recreational salmon fishing. During its extraordinary life cycle between fresh and sea water, the salmon feeds as far away as the Faeroe islands and Greenland before returning to its natal rivers. Iceland, whose economy is based on fishing, has had a long standing driftnet ban, while Norway introduced one in 1989. A lobby group set up by an Icelandic businessman has received US government support for its attempts to buy out salmon fishermen in the Faeroes, Newfoundland and Greenland.

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Such a buy out here poses complex problems, at a time when driftnet activity is falling anyway due to economic factors, and the report wisely advises that this issue should be examined by another panel. The proposals compare favourably to those in the last such study in 1987, which also ruled against a driftnet ban and said that greater emphasis should be placed on controlling the catch ashore. Given the high cost and risks involved in policing inland and coastal fisheries, control in the marketplace is a sensible option.

Yet this study also takes a very practical approach. It is critical of inadequate and unreliable data, and of the plethora of State agencies involved who do not cooperate. The experts raise pertinent questions, and even address the seals issue recommending more research towards a seal management programme. A confident lead is demanded overall from the Department of the Marine.