The number of salmon that can be caught by commercial fishermen and anglers is to be reduced.
Marine Minister John Browne today confirmed he would adopt the recommendations made to him by the National Salmon Commission
The total allowable catch will now be 91,367 for the commercial sector and 15,000 for angling. The draft regulations include provisions for restricting the annual angling limit to 10 fish per angler for the year.
"The wild Atlantic salmon is an important natural resource belonging to all the Irish people; it is therefore clear to me that the preservation of the species must be our top priority," he said.
"I believe the lower level to be necessary to contain the total harvest by anglers to 15,000 fish, given that there is no appreciable reduction in the average angling catch of 25,000 over the past five years and in the interest of balanced treatment of all stakeholders," Mr Browne said.
An independent group would be appointed to examine the implications of the new regulations for the commercial sector from 2007 onwards, he added. The group will then make recommendations on the options available to address any financial hardship for the commercial fishing sector.
Irish Hotels Federation chief executive John Power said the decision would help to improve regional tourism. Angling tourists contribute $55 million to the economy each year.
"Since 1999 the number of salmon angling tourists coming to Ireland has halved from 54,000 to 27,000 per year on foot of a declining stock and our failure to implement conservation best practice," he said.
But the Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now campaign said it was disappointed the Government had not immediately adopted the advice of the commission to end drift netting for the 2006 season.