asked the Minister for Agriculture whether seine net fishing is prohibited within Donegal Bay, and, if so, what regulations given the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seine Net Fishing Regulations.
The use of ground seine nets hauled by steam power for the capture of sea-fish is by by-law No. 218 dated 30th November, 1898, prohibited in Donegal Bay inside or eastward of an imaginary line drawn from the watch house at the coast guard station at Teelin, County Donegal, to the western point of the Island of Inishmurray and thence to Streedagh Point, County Sligo. The use of seine nets in Donegal Bay is, of course, subject to the regulations which prescribe minimum mesh sizes of seine nets generally.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary state whether this by-law may be applied to that type of net being used by steam boats within the prescribed limits?
I have told the Deputy about the by-law which was made exactly 57 years ago to-day. If the Deputy is anxious to have a copy of the by-law or if he wants any further information——
I have a copy.
If the Deputy already has it, the Deputy is able to read it.
I wanted to know whether the Parliamentary Secretary would state if this by-law may be invoked against this type of net when used by steam boats. That is the question which is agitating the minds of the fishermen.
If the Deputy puts down a question asking that information I shall probably be in a position to give him a reply.
There is a technical difference. The Parliamentary Secretary is aware that steam power is mentioned in the by-law. The people who own these boats as well as the inshore fishermen are anxious to know whether that would include boats driven by diesel power.