Salmon quota for this year cut by 27%

MARINE Minister John Browne yesterday accepted the recommendations of the National Salmon Commission that the total catch of salmon for 2006 should be 106,367.

Last year, Mr Browne's predecessor Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher caused controversy when he went against the commission's recommendation and allowed a total catch of 146,000, some 17% above the scientific advice.

But, with clear evidence that salmon stocks are dwindling and with concern about the survival of the species, Mr Browne yesterday agreed to a dramatic cut of more than one-quarter (27%) of the 2005 quota.