The FISSTA Executive Committee met in Galway on the 12th January 2002. The long drive to Oranmore by the men and woman who represent anglers nationally, faced a long agenda. There was much to deliberate on as this was the first ever meeting which we had "commercial quotas for all nets" on the table as announced by Frank Fahey, Minister for the Marine & Natural Resources.

More scientific details emerged at the meeting on the governement's set of restricitons on the Irish net fishermen which will reduce from this season onward the amount of fish they can catch under a quota system. The details of this have yet to be agreed when the National Salmon Commission meet in the coming weeks under a working group in which our executive member Martin Mc Enroe will play the vital role for salmon anglers as the negotiations will agree the level of the quotas to be applied to each location around the coast.

Chairman Noel Carr said "As more meetings are convened to agree the future of our salmon resource it is vital that FISSTA remain very vigilant to ensure a worthwhile deal is done to conserve salmon for future generations. We are confident that this time around we have our own representative at the coalface to enforce the view of the salmon and seatrout angler. All of our Executive are in no doubt that they will not allow this golden opportunity to be squandered by those that have delayed progress for far too long. No longer will the anglers of Ireland and Europe be cheated from the dream prize of salmon abundance."

In view of the fact that Minister Fahey has now announced the commencement of what could be a viable plan a review of the protest campaign was conducted. Much has yet to be deliberated, however, FISSTA welcome this news at this crucial time for stocks.

While FISSTA feels it falls short of the outright buyout of nets which we have campaigned for many years. However, the level of this progress will be measured by the level of quota restricitons that will be negotiated at the National Salmon Commission in the coming weeks. Until these details are decided we will not know how effective Minister Fahey's decision really is and how many fish it will save from the nets."

The Executive wishes Martin Mc Enroe and all the working group every success in reaching an early decision to ensure the future of the salmon.

To allow matters to take their course and give affiliated members the opportunity to put forward their views at all levels, the FISSTA executive decided to resume cooperation with all State Boards, NSC, RFB, etc.

A delegation team has been selected to articulate the FISSTA policy when they meet with the Central Fisheries Board to resolve the national issue of security of tenure. While arrangements are in place to hold a series of public protests in February it was decided to allow matters to develop in the intervening time in the hope that a partnership agreement can be put in place.

The following issues remain on the FISSTA agenda:

(a) The withdrawal of the dreaded Eviction Notices imposed by the state and security of tenure to be returned to the Laune, Flesk, Donegal and Mayo Anglers immediatley.

(b) A public enquiry into the working of this particular CM group in the South Western Board Manager and his facilitator and Duchas.

(c) The provision of a statutory scheme dedicated to conservation, research and education, for salmon and seatrout or other game, fauna, as outlined in our Salmonid Sanctuary Programme under the administration of FISSTA & NARGC.

Until the above is granted FISSTA will continue the following three actions from Jan 12th 2002:

(i) All cooperation with Salmon Conservation measurers as applied by Anglers during 2001 season, is withdrawn. (This includes the filling of logbooks, etc) FISSTA do not advocate the breaking of the law, and ask that they practise conservation methods of returning all fish caught until our issues are resolved.

(ii) As the state has not renewed our leases to some clubs we are no longer in a position to give our traditional hearty welcome to Tourist Anglers on any FISSTA water from Jan 1st 2002 until such time as secure tenure is granted. Sadly, this has already been reported as "No Tourist Anglers Welcome" which we regret very much.

(iii) All National Angling bodies will be contacted once again to review the new measures and asked to support our campaign as these evictions are a threat to all anglers.