A CROSS BORDER initiative to restore salmon fishing on the River Erne "to its former glory" was launched yesterday in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
The £1.7m project, with EL backing under the Interreg 2 programme, was jointly unveiled by the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Mr Eamon Gilmore, and Mr John Murray, the permanent secretary at the North's Department of Agriculture.
The plan aims to restore salmon levels in the river, create angling tourism jobs and attract more anglers to the area. It is the first North South fisheries project of its kind.
Mr Gilmore said yesterday "I welcome the strong commitment and co-operation of all the agencies from Northern Ireland and the Republic who are involved in this challenging project and I have no doubts that these efforts will pay dividends not just for anglers but for the entire local economy in the Border region."
The plan has 10 sub-programmes, some of which are already under way. They include stock assessment, restocking, habitat surveys, genetic research, installation of counters and traps and a hatchery analysis of spawning potential.
Mr John Murray agreed with the Minister that the fishery authorities "had a record of co-operation which is second to none when it comes to working for mutual economic benefit. Over the years, the Erne has shown that it is an area which is well suited to this sort of co-operation. Everybody is acquainted with the Erne Shannon waterway it must be a jewel in that particular crown, but this salmon management programme will be a very suitable addition", he said.
The ESB's managing director of Power Generation, Mr Ken O'Hara, said in carrying out its fisheries responsibilities the ESB was committed to achieving stock levels which would support its joint objective of job and wealth creation.