30/08/2004- FISSTA CALLS ON MINISTER DERMOT AHERN TD TO END THE DRIFTNETS NOW! BACKGROUND - The Minister for State for Marine, John Browne TD is reported on RTE Morning Ireland as having called on anglers and commercial drift net fishermen to sort out their differences in the interests of salmon conservation. FISSTA – the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers - has reacted angrily to the comments made by Minister of State for Marine John Browne TD on national radio this morning. To call on anglers and commercial drift net fishermen to sort out their differences in the interests of salmon conservation proves to all concerned that his Department has washed their hands from any responsibility they have towards the wild Atlantic Salmon. Once again, this Minister of State and Minister Dermot Ahern TD attempts to confuse the issue in order delay the inevitable decision to end driftnet fishing off our caost which will save the remainder of the stocks of wild Irish salmon. FISSTA were promised action on this issue when we first met Minister Browne TD in Dublin on 8th January 2003. Sadly, nothing of any consequence has happened to date and the very poor salmon returns for this season indicate that time has almost run out. FISSTA reminds Minster Ahern that it is his responsibility to manage, conserve and develop the Irish salmon fishery. FISSTA call on the Minsiter Dermot Ahern to do just that now before it is too late. FISSTA Chairman, Edward Power of Clonmel, states: “Anglers are the victims – not the cause! But once againl, we appear to be the perpetrators of the problem while the real cause, the driftnetters are allowed to fish without any apparent consideration for the future of the stocks. Minister Dermot Ahern TD has this power to save our salmon species from extinction by ending drftnets now”.