A truce has been declared in the long war between salmon conservationists and fish farmers. An international body dedicated to conserving the wild salmon has reached a landmark accord with the salmon-rearing industry. The co-operation agreement was signed by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO), of which Ireland is a member, and salmon-farming representatives from Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Canada, the US, Iceland and the Faroe Islands this month in London.
The parties also agreed to form a working group on the development of guidelines which would ensure conservation of wild salmon and encourage sustainable salmon-farming practices.
Mr James Ryan of the Irish Salmon Growers' Association (ISGA) welcomed the accord, saying: "Salmon-farming is an increasingly important industry in Ireland, and in all north Atlantic countries with wild salmon stocks.
"The ISGA wishes to co-operate with the conservation of the wild resource at the highest level, and we believe that we will be bringing a lot to the table in terms of experience and expertise," he said.
The secretary of NASCO, Mr Malcolm Windsor, congratulated the aquaculture industry for "an excellent spirit of co-operation" and said the agreement provided a firm basis for future progress. The two groups have promised to meet regularly.
The new Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, expressed his commitment to development of the industry when he launched a new £400,000 mussel-harvesting vessel for a Mayo company at the weekend.
The vessel, named Lughnasa, has been purchased by Atlantic Blackshells Ltd of Westport. Fitted with a 15-tonne crane and davits, it was built in Wales and is equipped with handling gear made in France.
