Sir, - I would like to compliment the Minister, Mr Eamonn Gilmore, on commissioning a report by a management task force in 1995 for the protection of Atlantic salmon. On appointing a competent and professional group of people, he forged a new chapter at a critical time for salmon.
Professor Wilkins and his formidable team grasped the complexity of the problem of declining salmon stocks and presented a balanced, realistic and scholarly report. Now it devolves on the people of Ireland, and in particular on fishing interests, to use this window of opportunity to protect and nourish a rare and beautiful species, for the enjoyment and benefit of their children.
I urge netsmen, fishery owners and anglers to adopt the broad principles and central thrust in this report. We must forget sectional interests and place the salmon in its true, central role, as, our primary game fish.
Only through our combined efforts can we achieve the objectives set out in this report. Salmon stocks are indeed in decline. If we fail to act now in a spirit of cooperation, we may well be responsible for the demise of the salmon as a species. - Yours, etc.,
Clonmoney West,
Newmarket-on-Fergus,
Co Clare.