asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether in view of the effect that the disappointing salmon season has had on the livelihood of fishermen and on those engaged in the trade he will extend the season this year for one month on an experimental basis; and, if the results are satisfactory, if he will give consideration to lengthening the season for future years.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Fishing Season.
11.
I do not think such action would be desirable.
Will the Minister elaborate on the reasons which influenced him in declining such a reasonable request, having regard to the hardship and losses which accrued to the fishermen concerned? Would he say what proposals, if any, he has to alleviate that hardship and render more secure the livelihood of the fishermen concerned?
There are two reasons, and there are other probably less important ones. The first is where salmon are not being caught in numbers which indicate that they are running in numbers, that is indicative of a situation wherein the extension of fishing facilities would not be in the interests of the fishermen. If they do not get up the river, they cannot get back and they have not spawned. In the long run, that would be to the detriment of the fishermen.
The second is that while this disease is still with us, and unfortunately it is still with us, the best advice I have got in this regard is that we should endeavour by any means at our disposal to build up stocks of fish which have developed an immunity to the disease. That is a theory, but it is probably well based. Whether it is or not, it is the advice I have got. Therefore it is in the general interests of the fishermen, whether they be net fishermen or rod fishermen, that the runs of fish going up to spawn should not in any way be reduced at this time, particularly in view of the disease, and that they should be allowed through to the greatest possible extent.
In addition, I should say it is not, it never has been, and I doubt that it ever will be, the policy to extend indiscriminately the season for net fishing in any estuary or river.
Even on an experimental basis?
It has never been done, and I think it unwise to contemplate doing it. If the season is to be extended or reduced, this clearly should be done only after an inquiry or investigation has taken place about the specific river in question. A number of these rivers are, in fact, being investigated at the moment, but it cannot be determined over one or two seasons. We have investigated some of them over a couple of seasons and we propose to continue investigating them this year. If the outturn should show that the runs of fish up the river to spawn are sufficient, or regarded as sufficient or more than sufficient, this would give us justification for contemplating in the future an extension of the season on any river where that is so.
Is the Minister aware that during the first six weeks of this fishing season, the fishermen in Youghal had to go back on the dole, due to the fact that the seasons have changed and that his antiquated Department have not taken that into consideration?
Let him answer that.
If he has another, I will answer both.
May I ask the Minister if he can indicate when the results of the investigations to which he has referred will be made known?
They have started on rivers quite close to the Deputy. Deputy Corry would have had a hand in getting them started.
If the Minister is in any doubt he can ask the Parliamentary Secretary. He was present at the meeting.
The investigation will be terminated when we have sufficient information to indicate whether the runs are improved or decreased.
Two or three seasons?
This has been going on for a couple of seasons. This is the second season. We must get information over a couple of seasons. It is not possible at this stage to say with certainty, or with safety, that there should be an extension in any case. The passage of a year does not necessarily disprove it.