The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources has been accused of "lacking courage" on foot of the latest setback to the Government's wild salmon management plan. A representative of salmon drift-net fishermen, Mr T.P. O Conchuir, has criticised the Minister's decision to postpone the introduction of a tagging programme for wild salmon.
The tagging of fish was a key recommendation in the Salmon Management Task Force report, of which Mr O Conchuir was a member.
Last month the Federation of Irish Sea Trout and Salmon Anglers (FISSTA) rejected legislation proposed to introduce the measure. Last weekend the Minister postponed the introduction until January.