FISSTA regret the lack of progress on the conservation of Salmon since the cancellation of the last scheduled meeting of the NSC on 6th February in Lismore Co Waterford. FISSTA have yet to receive any credible explanation for the sudden cancellation. Our representative had traveled from Athlone before receiving word that his and many other members' journeys were in vain. That was the 6th February and as reported in the Irish Times on 21st February "the Minister denies any rift between the Chairman Wilkins and the Department ". As we enter another week of possible inaction Anglers of this Country still have no NSC deliberations on the five major concerns, which FISSTA put to them at their establishment in April 2000. We do however, welcome the Ministers comments put on the Dail record as a genuine attempt to resolve some issues. However, his determination to force through catchment management programmes amid FISSTA opposition conflicts greatly with these comments, especially, as the January meeting of Catchment Management Committee agreed to put "development of catchment management policy" on the agenda of their April meeting. It appears that our voice on these committees are once again being ignored and used by the Department to force their measures through without FISSTA consensus - just like the tagging and logbooks were attempted. FISSTA have already stated many times and are now convinced that the NSC is a failed entity under the current Chairman and call on the Minister to (accept the deliberations of the majority of the NSC) resolve our five concerns immediately.

No Chairman is bigger than the NSC nor has the right to impede the Conservation of the Salmon. To allow such a vacuum to prevail at this crucial time highlights the inadequacy of the NSC and their ability to resolve even the simplest of issues. FISSTA believes the £70,000 spent so far by NSC and along with the astronomical cost of the Salmon Review Group which so badly advised the Minister on tagging and logbooks would be better spent on buyouts, water quality and habitat development.

FISSTA are putting all affiliated clubs on notice that the possible impending strike against tagging measures by Fishery Officers will have serious implications for clubs and salmon stocks in their fishery systems. Local Club protection plans have always been in place with the co-operation of the local RFB fishery staff any industrial dispute will put more pressure on anglers to fill the professional effort that may be withdrawn. However, while in no way replacing or substituting their service in a strike situation, Anglers will as on many fisheries be the last line of defence for the Salmon and will have to call on all members to strengthen their protection of the stocks against the likely increased opportunities, which poachers may wish to exploit. Fishery staff in the RFB's has always worked well with the voluntary Angling bodies to protect against poaching, improve stocks and develop Salmon habitats. While we have consistently opposed RFB management in the treatment of Anglers, FISSTA support and sympathies with their fishery board staff in the existing dispute with their employers as it arises out of the same Department negligence as FISSTA.

FISSTA congratulate the members of the four affiliates who staged a most successful protest during the Minister's visit to Killarney last week. The Minister was visiting Killarney to support the Catchment Management Group's
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Programme which all FISSTA affiliates oppose as they now stand. It was most encouraging that such a large number of anglers could be organised at such short notice, especially as there was a blackout on all press notices of the event. Such functions on catchment management will be opposed by FISSTA at every opportunity.

FISSTA continue to campaign for the early resolution of our five main concerns and to this end will protest on:

DATE: SATURDAY 3rd. MARCH 2001.
TIME: 3 p.m.
VENUE; RIVER FEALE, LISTOWEL, CO. KERRY.

We urge Clubs and members from both far and near in particular from adjoining Counties to attend and show their solidarity with the FISSTA your National Federation.

Although there have been assurances from the Minister of the Marine, that the logbook issue is being amended by him to require only the actual catch of Salmon to be recorded, no solid details have been received by FISSTA of exactly what is envisaged nor how it is proposed to be operated. Indeed only last week anglers were ordered off the State beats on the river Laune in Killarney, under threat of prosecution, for not having a logbook in their possession, hardly a trust and confidence building gesture.

Regarding Anglers tags: Our fears that these "Commercial" tags would be abused and be "a charter for poachers" is being borne out as the Salmon have turned up in Cork and Kerry rivers with net marks on them. So much for Conservation and protection for Spring Salmon because poachers are encouraged to kill every Salmon they can and get top money for these fish by readily obtaining and using Angler tags under the present scheme. Recreational Anglers will pay very dearly for this in time to come unless this ill thought out policy is suitable amended to FISSTA's satisfaction. The NSC has not even met yet to deliberate on and propose changes, as promised.

It is vital that Anglers keep the protest going until the issue of logbooks, tags and indeed Catchment Management is resolved. With only a week to go before the Listowel event it is very unlikely that it will be resolved before then. FISSTA's Anglers/Members must be listened to and respected for the good of our sport but most of all for the future of the Wild Atlantic Salmon.

Yours Sincerely,