asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of salmon or peal taken from the ESB weir at Limerick each year since 1972.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Salmon Catches.
29.
Salmon and peal are jointly recorded under the heading of salmon. The number taken from the ESB weir at Limerick in each of the years 1972 to 1976 was 3,285, 4,247, 2,556, 4,184 and 1,465, respectively.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary explain the reason for the fall in the number of salmon and peal that have passed the ESB weir at Limerick this year?
The drop in the 1976 catch is considered to be due to the following: reduction of returning stock, illegal fishing by bigger vessels off the mouth of the Shannon and the low-water period coinciding with the peak period for fishing. My information is that it is likely the numbers will increase again.
I cannot confirm that information, but what steps are being taken to prevent the illegal fishing which is going on continuously not alone at the mouth of the Shannon but around the coast generally, particularly in the counties of Kerry and Clare?
Every possible effort is being made by the Department and boards of conservators to reduce illegal fishing. In my view it is almost impossible to wipe this out, but measures as effective as we can make them are being taken and the Deputy can be assured that the Department are mindful of the destruction caused by illegal fishing.
I appreciate the Parliamentary Secretary's concern but is he serious when he says that the boards of conservators have a right over fishing in the Atlantic, outside the mouth of the Shannon, which is continuously going on? What steps is he taking to prevent that?
The boards are taking the usual steps, backed by the Department. They are taking as many preventative measures as possible to detect illegal fishermen and poaching and to bring them before the courts.
How many prosecutions have been taken?
That seems to be a separate question.
The boards of conservators in these areas have no jurisdiction outside the mouth of the Shannon and when illegal fishing is continuing around the coast of Clare and Kerry?
I do not have information on the number of prosecutions but if the Deputy puts down a question I will have that information for him.
On what do the Department base their presumption that fish stocks will improve next year?
This question deals with Limerick.
I do not have the particulars on which the assumption is based. If the Deputy wants to elicit that information, he can put down a question.
(Interruptions.)
Order. I am leaving this question.
In the course of his reply to Deputy Coughlan the Parliamentary Secretary said he had information that the situation would improve next year. I am asking for that information.
The Chair is concerned about the subject matter of the question, the ESB weir at Limerick. Next question.
Could I have a reply?
The Deputy had a reply.