In introducing this year's Estimate for Fisheries, which reflects the increasing attention to the development of our sea and inland fisheries in accordance with the Government's Programme for Economic Expansion, I should like to mention a few facts and figures illustrating the progress made during the past year:
In the year ended 31st March, 1963, the value of landings of sea fish increased by almost 10 per cent to £1,548,000.
In the same year, the value of exports of fish and fishery products increased by some 36 per cent to the record level of £1,686,000.
The estimated income from angling tourism rose by about 12 per cent to the new peak of £1,346,000 which may be regarded as invisible exports.
Thus exports, visible and invisible, arising from our fisheries exceeded £3 million.
Some 11,000 men were directly employed, whole-time or part-time, in our sea and inland fisheries—apart from thousands of others engaged in marketing, processing and transport of fish and catering for angling tourists.
On the sea fisheries side, the main endeavour in the past year has been directed towards implementing the intensified Programme of Sea Fisheries Development published as a White Paper in April, 1962. In particular, the reorganisation of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara is proceeding under a whole-time chairman appointed from 1st January, 1963, and considerable progress has been made towards the establishment of an advisory service to improve fishing techniques and promote co-operation among fishermen and a marketing service to assist in the development of markets at home and abroad for fish and fishery products. I have full confidence that the development of these advisory and marketing services, together with the enhanced facilities and incentives for the acquisition and re-engining of fishing boats, the training schemes for fishermen, the development of fishery harbours and the extension of exploratory and research work will, with a determined effort and the co-operation of all concerned, bring about the further expansion which is needed in the industry.
In 1962, landings of demersal or white fish increased by over 17,000 cwt. to 230,000 cwt. and their value rose by £46,000 to £867,000. Whiting was the most important species in both quantity and value: indeed the quantity of whiting was almost as high as that of all other demersal species together. Other important varieties were, in order of value, plaice, cod, ray or skate, soles and haddock and, in order of quantity, ray or skate, plaice, cod, pollack and haddock. The value of the pelagic fish landed, of which herrings accounted for over 85 per cent, increased by £44,000 to £303,000. The value of shellfish landings also rose by £52,000 to £330,000, the principal varieties being lobsters, Dublin Bay prawns, crawfish and periwinkles.
It is pleasing to note that returns so far in 1963 show a worthwhile improvement on those for 1962, the value of landings of all varieties of sea fish for the first four months of 1963 being almost £70,000 higher than for the like period in 1962.
It will be recalled that a co-operative effort got under way towards the end of 1961 for the marketing of processed herrings abroad. The Irish Herring Export Group, comprising some of the principal fish processing firms and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, resumed operations in the 1962/63 season but, owing to the buoyant demand for all herrings landed, their activities were not on as large a scale as had been contemplated. Consignments of salted, marinated and frozen herrings were exported by the group to Western Europe and to Czechoslovakia. Aside from this marketing endeavour, some established processing firms continued to work separately and exported sizable quantities of salted and marinated herrings to European countries and to the USA. Exports of Irish fish products were sent to as many as 22 different countries even as far away as Australia where Irish whiting commands a market.
On the home market, the problem of trying to get more people to eat more fish more often has been tackled in a vigorous fashion. As part of a publicity campaign to help in stimulating home consumption, a national fish cookery competition open to whole-time day students of vocational schools was organised by the Fishing Industry Development Committee. This is an advisory committee composed of representatives of fish importers, retailers and fishermen with representatives from An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Fisheries Division of the Department of Lands. With the co-operation of the Technical Instruction Branch of the Department of Education and the various vocational education committees, the competition, which was confined to the cooking of whiting or herring, got under way.
It was welcomed on all sides as a great success and throughout the various stages—school, county, regional and national—interest never flagged. The high standard achieved by the 5,000 students who took part was something to be proud of and this was in no small measure due to the painstaking work of the vocational education committees and their staffs and the enthusiasm of the students. Further promotion work of a similar kind is being undertaken on a planned basis with the object of benefiting not only the consumer but the fishing industry as a whole—the fishermen who catch the fish, the auctioneers, wholesalers and co-operatives who market it in the first instance and the retailers who are responsible for its final presentation to the consumer.
The grant-in-aid to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which is being increased by £40,000 to £200,000 this year, includes provision for grants of 25 per cent of the cost of new boats and new engines and for subsidising the interest payable by hire purchasers at the low level of 4 per cent. Repayable advances up to £220,000 from the Central Fund to the Board have also been authorised for financing the provision of boats and gear in the current year. Eighteen new boats ranging from 26 to 56 feet in length were issued by the Board to hire-purchasers during the year ended 31st March, 1963. The first of the new 65 foot fishing boats designed by the Board is nearing completion at their boatyard in Killybegs and the second has been laid down. The demand for boats will be further stimulated by the intensified development programme now in operation.
I have already mentioned the reorganisation of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara in accordance with the Programme of Sea Fisheries Development. The Board's policy as a development body is to unify all sections of the industry into a cohesive force geared for expansion at all levels. Fishermen are being encouraged to form co-operative societies with a view to replacing the Board's trading organisation. The Dingle fishermen have already given a lead by setting up their own co-operative society. They recently took over the Board's premises and facilities at Dingle and are now handling all fish landed at that port. Fishermen in other areas are thinking on similar lines and it is expected that those in our leading ports will follow this practical example of local initiative and enterprise. The Board are ready to help in the formation of such co-operative societies and to assist in promoting sales of fish at home and abroad.
The Board's fleet maintenance scheme, which was previously confined to hire purchase boats, is being extended to cover all fishing boats. It is hoped that, by proper care and maintenance of boats, the time spent on actual fishing will be appreciably increased—with a corresponding improvement in fishermen's earnings.
The Board's new advisory service aims to expand production through the improvement of catching techniques, the location of new fishing grounds and the organisation of education and training schemes for fishermen. Regional advisory officers are being appointed by the Board and the sole work of these officers is to win the confidence of fishermen and impart to them up-to-date information, advice and techniques. In general the object of the service is to put the fisherman in a position to make the most of his opportunities.
The Board are preparing a planned market development programme for home and export markets which will go into operation in association with the private trade and co-operative societies. The programme will be designed to increase fish consumption at home, conduct market research abroad, and provide expert advice on the presentation and processing of fish products. In addition co-operative selling arrangements among fish exporters will be encouraged and export marketing will be developed on a quality control basis under an Irish brand. A scheme of help and advice towards suitable structural alterations and the provision of equipment for fish retailers is being prepared, and will be fitted into the overall programme for the home market. In this connection regional distribution from landing points will be encouraged. In particular special sales promotion is being prepared for whiting which, as I mentioned earlier, is the species in most plentiful supply around our coasts.
Perhaps I should refer to the Board's fish processing factories which received a good deal of publicity in the House some months ago. In accordance with the Programme of Sea Fisheries Development proposals were invited for the acquisition of the factories at Killybegs, Galway and Schull. The aim was to transfer them to private or co-operative interests if acceptable proposals were received, thus relieving the Board as far as practicable of direct participation in commercial operations which can be effectively handled by such interests and enabling them to concentrate more intensively on development activities. There was no question at any time of closing down the factories: indeed those at Killybegs and Galway are going concerns and will continue to be operated by the Board pending receipt of acceptable proposals. In fact plans are under way to expand production at the three factories in conjunction with fishermen and trade interests.
As I have stressed on many occasions, it is imperative to provide a regular inflow of progressive and trained men into the catching side of the industry, not alone to make good normal wastage but to man the additional vessels needed for the more effective exploitation of our fishery resources. Training and education are indispensable nowadays in any industry and this applies particularly to the fishing industry if the best possible use is to be made of the expensive vessels and complex modern equipment available. We have reached what may be called the take-off stage in recruitment but more rapid acceleration must be attained if the industry is really to prosper. Discussions are taking place between the Fisheries Division of the Department of Lands, the Department of Education and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara with a view to co-ordinating the efforts of all concerned with the education and training of fishermen.
Under the scheme for training fishermen as skippers, 30 fishermen have so far completed courses. A further 13 are at present attending a theoretical course at Galway in preparation for the examination for certificates of competency. Incidentally, this is the highest attendance so far recorded at one of these courses and, if the increased interest continues, as I hope it will, additional courses will be organised. Fishermen undergoing these courses are paid at the rate of £7 a week plus allowances for dependants.
Under the scheme for training boys as fishermen, trainees receive allowances of £5 per week—which is a reasonable figure for a youth of 16 with no previous experience. Thirty boys trained under this scheme are now working as full crew members and thirty-five more are undergoing training at present. I do not regard this as adequate and my immediate aim is to double the number in training: indeed I would like to see it trebled as soon as possible. Boys who successfully complete training will be encouraged, after further practical experience, to train as skippers and take command of valuable fishing boats. Two of those recruited under this scheme in 1959 are, in fact, being trained as skippers at Galway at the moment. With the facilities and incentives now available, the fishing industry offers opportunities of worthwhile careers at least equal to those in any other industry. Boys of not less than 16 years of age are again being interviewed at convenient centres and, if Deputies know of any others who may be interested, I would be glad to get their names and addresses.
As Deputies are aware, the Government decided to substitute Dunmore East for Passage East in the programme of development of major fishery harbours. This change was made on the advice of the harbours consultant who considered that the subsoil conditions disclosed by trial borings at Passage East were unfavourable. A major scheme for the improvement of the harbour at Dunmore East has been prepared. As a result of the boring surveys at Killybegs and Castletownbere, some variations in the schemes for those harbours have been decided on and detailed designs are being prepared. Work is due to commence at these three centres this year. Site investigations at Howth and model investigations for Galway have still to be completed. Facilities at other harbours and landing places are simultaneously receiving attention; some works are in progress and several proposals are in varying stages of examination.
Research work is of the utmost importance in the development of our sea fisheries as so little is certain about sea life and the movements of fish stocks. Scientists in the Fisheries Division are tackling these problems both by direct investigations and by collaboration in the international field through organisations such as the International Council for the Study of the Sea. The very nature of the problems, however, is such that spectacular results are unlikely to be achieved within a short time. The varieties to which particular attention is being paid by our scientists at present are herrings and mackerel in the pelagic group, whiting, plaice and hake among the white fish varieties, and lobsters, crawfish, Dublin Bay prawns and mussels in the shellfish category. The exploratory fishing vessel "Cú Feasa" has been of great assistance in the conduct of these scientific investigations as well as in searching for herrings and making surveys of the sea bed mainly on grounds off the south and west coasts.
One of the objects of fisheries investigations is the conservation of fish stocks which is frequently achieved by the imposition of an appropriate minimum size limit. I recently had occasion to declare a new minimum size for lobsters related to the rigid body-shell rather than the more elastic overall length. As the question of prohibiting the taking of "berried lobsters", i.e. female lobsters on which eggs are visible, may be raised again in the course of this debate, may I repeat that special consideration was given to that problem before the new order was made. The advice tendered to me, however, was that it would be more effective to enforce a size limit which would permit of spawning, adequate for maintenance of the stocks, to take place before the lobsters attain that size. The removal of berried lobsters above that size should then have no adverse effect on the stocks. Every female lobster is a potential berried lobster and there would be little advantage in prohibiting the taking of a lobster which could be legally taken before becoming berried. I appeal for the full co-operation of all fishermen in observing the minimum size limits that have been prescribed for various species of fish.
As the "Cú Feasa" alone cannot cope with the demand from several areas along our lengthy coastline, an initial provision is made in this year's Estimate for a sister ship. A vessel somewhat comparable with the largest type of fishing boat in use here will probably best serve the purpose. Inquiries are proceeding and a decision will shortly be taken as to the most suitable type and size of craft. The vessel will be constructed at an Irish boatyard.
As the sketch plans approved for the fisheries research station at Galway were related to the particular site selected, the preparation of working drawings has had to be delayed because of the reluctance of the Galway Harbour Commissioners to complete the transfer of the site.
As to the question of extension of exclusive fishery limits, we have missed no opportunity of seeking to secure international agreement on this issue. A further opportunity may present itself at a conference of European countries to be held later this year on the initiative of the British Government to consider fishing rights, access to markets, rights of establishment and policing. Our interest in an international rule of law in this field is well known but we would hope that the proposed conference will produce an agreement of at least a regional character.
On the inland fisheries side, I can report that the past year has been a good and profitable one for the industry and that much useful work has been done towards increasing the productivity of our inland waters.
Last year's salmon catch was the best for many years and salmon exports totalling 19,000 cwt. valued at £673,000 were the highest since 1951. From about the end of June, grilse arrived in the mouths of most of our rivers in considerable numbers. Conditions for netting were favourable and rain came in good time to bring up adequate runs for anglers. Reports on the subsequent spawning told of an abundance of fish on many of the spawning grounds.
Reports this season speak fairly consistently of a spring fish run better than the average of recent years; this may be due to a continuance of the favourable factors affecting the sea life of the salmon which produced last year's phenomenal run of grilse.
Another helpful factor should eventually be the scheme of salmon river improvements which continues from year to year with the aim of opening up new spawning areas and improving existing ones. Though the effects may be gradual and the benefits to the stocks not immediately perceptible, it is certain that work of this kind gives a better chance to the brood fish and must help to increase the runs into our rivers. The protection of stocks from depredation by poachers is, of course, indispensable for the welfare of the fisheries. The law dealing with this problem has been strengthened in the past year and will facilitate determined action by the protection staffs of boards of conservators to suppress illegal practices. Staff of the right calibre are needed for this, particularly at the upper level, and proposals are being considered for the future recruitment of key personnel who would be established on a pensionable basis with fixity of tenure.
In view of misconceptions from time to time about the income of the Salmon Conservancy Fund, I should like to draw attention to the extent of the State grants payable into the fund. This year's grant of £22,000 provides more for general purposes than last year's figure which included an exceptional item of £4,500. Payments from the fund are in the main made to boards of conservators to supplement their normal income.
Two major improvement projects financed through the Fund have now reached the finishing stages. At the salmon hatchery and rearing station at Cong, County Mayo, the hatchery building has been completed and the holding ponds and other works are under construction. This station is expected to be in full operation for the coming spawning season. The main construction work on the fish passes at Ennistymon, County Clare, was completed in time to enable numbers of salmon to travel upstream to the spawning beds of the River Inagh last year. There remain only some minor works now in course of completion and the stocking of the river system has already been commenced by the planting out of fry.
Scientific and technical investigations being carried out by biologists and engineers on the inland fisheries side include surveys of salmon and eel stocks, problems of fish predation and the effects of arterial drainage and of hydro-electric schemes on stocks of migratory fish. As is the rule with fishery research work, the investigations are of a fairly long-term nature and in most cases will take some years to bring to the stage where conclusions can be drawn.
The investigations into the effects on fish life, fish food and spawning grounds of arterial drainage work on the River Moy are proceeding. The drainage authorities and officers of the Fisheries Division are maintaining close liaison in the carrying out of the drainage work in order to minimise interference with the very valuable salmon fisheries of the Moy system.
Investigations into the sharp decline in the runs of salmon in the River Lee are also being continued with the active co-operation of the Electricity Supply Board, the Inland Fisheries Trust and the Cork Board of Conservators. While the work done last year did not yield conclusive results, it indicated that predation by pike in the reservoirs appeared to be a major factor in the loss of salmon smolts and that reluctance on the part of the smolts to use the existing fish pass arrangements was also a serious problem. This year's programme for the Lee accordingly includes large-scale operations to reduce the number of pike and also experimental work designed to make the fish passes more attractive to smolts.
The investigation into the effects of effluent from bog workings on fish life and fish food, for which a biologist was seconded to the Salmon Research Trust late in 1961, has not yet reached a sufficiently advanced stage to produce useful conclusions.
The eel fishing programme this year will again be aimed at the demonstration of improved methods of capture and the examination of the efficiency of certain types of eel fishing engines in operation at present. I am happy to say that exports of eels in 1962 at 2,038 cwts., valued at £33,772, showed a welcome recovery on the corresponding figures for 1961, viz. 1,869 cwts., valued at £25,678.
There is a further substantial increase this year in the grant-in-aid to the Inland Fisheries Trust whose State funds are now derived entirely from the Fisheries Vote. The provision of £75,000 represents an advance of £12,000 on the corresponding figure for last year and it has been decided that the grant-in-aid will be maintained at the level of £75,000 per year for the next three years. I think it will be agreed that this is money well invested. The steady rise in income from angling tourism year by year is more than adequate justification for the expenditure.
The results of the first year of the new five-year angling development plan have been assessed and it is estimated that the number of angling visitors increased by some 12 per cent over the figure for 1961 which was approximately 52,000. Income from angling tourism likewise increased from £1,200,000 to some £1,346,000. This is particularly satisfactory when one considers that economic conditions in Britain in 1962 were not conducive to such an increase. Arrangements continue to operate for co-ordinating the Trust's development work with promotion work by Bord Fáilte.
The progress made in attracting angling tourists is a tribute to the success of the work being done by the Trust and Bord Fáilte and by those local organisations which, I am happy to say, are co-operating so wholeheartedly in the work. The assurance of a fixed income over a number of years should facilitate the forward planning of the Trust's programme, but I must stress that there is a limit to the amount of work that can be undertaken in any particular year. I would appeal for patience on the part of all concerned where, for one reason or another, the Trust is unable to fit into its programme all the numerous requests for development of fisheries.
Three demonstration fish farms in five-pond units which were set up over the past few years are operating successfully and are showing a reasonable profit. A double, or ten-pond, unit in course of construction near Mullingar is nearing completion and is expected to be stocked this summer. Two private five-pond units, one at Thomastown, County Kilkenny, and the other near Holycross, County Tipperary, are also in operation.
The commercial fish farm at Wood-enbridge, County Wicklow, operated by Irish Trout Industries Ltd., has been operating to capacity and that at Waterville, County Kerry, set up by Rainbow Ltd., has recently begun to market its output on the continent. There is every reason to believe that exports of rainbow trout will, in the future, form an important part of our fish exports.
The Fisheries (Amendment) Act of 1962 is now in operation and the heavier penalties it provides for fishery offences will, I hope, enable the courts to deal severely with serious offences such as the use of poison which not only kills off the adult fish but destroys the young fish on which the future of the stocks depends. The Act should serve as an indication to the courts of the seriousness with which the Oireachtas views these offences.
Perhaps I may here refer to a suggestion made when that Bill was under discussion in the House that I might take some action in regard to waters where title difficulties were claimed to be hindering development of trout fishing or coarse fishing. I may say that these waters, which have been described as abandoned fisheries, have not forced themselves on the notice of the Inland Fisheries Trust: indeed, that body is more than fully occupied with development work on waters which present no difficulty as regards title. I have, however, invited members of the Trust and also members of the Trout Anglers Federation to report any cases of which they are aware. If some real problem arises from these title difficulties, my present view is that statutory provision for acquisition of such fishing rights by the State should be confined to cases in which a responsible body, such as the Trust or a board of conservators or a reputable local association,
(1) has sound proposals for development of a fishery;
(2) finds the implementation of those proposals hindered by intractable title difficulties affecting the whole or part of the fishery; and
(3) is prepared to pay an appropriate rent for the fishery if vested in the State.
I would, of course, prefer to see any fishery owners concerned asserting their title and taking steps to preserve their fisheries or to make them available to some appropriate body for development. I think I have shown that excellent progress is being made in the development of our sea and inland fisheries. To enable the good work to continue, I confidently recommend this Estimate to the House.