Sir, - Recent alarm at the rapidly diminishing salmon stocks in our Irish rivers is testimony to poor Government action on implementing a survival strategy for the species. The recent Salmon Task Force Report and its follow-up report, still intend to give drift netting fishermen the lion's share of the proposed quota: namely 64 per cent.
Calls from the North Atlantic Salmon Fund to curb exploitation at sea as the most cost-effective method of slowing the decline in salmon stocks should be heeded. Added to this, President Clinton's request to Congress for $100 million to save salmon in the Pacific and nearby coast-related rivers is indicative of world-wide alarm at the deterioration in salmon numbers.
What we need in this country is a generous buy-out scheme to compensate drift-net fishermen on cessation of fishing. Aquaculture is an option that could suit many coastal communities. With a buyout scheme, no fisherman should feel the pain of not fishing.
Currently two regional fisheries boards have supported the Green Party's call for a ban on drift-netting for salmon at sea.
This ban, coupled with new angling measures, would increase the number of salmon returning to our Irish rivers and with careful management, the salmon would face a brighter future. - Yours, etc., Mary White, Green Party Spokesperson on the Environment,
Killedmond, Borris, Co Carlow.