asked the Minister for Fisheries why it was necessary to reduce the salmon fishing season in the Foyle Fishery Commission area by six days, the seventh Monday after the first Monday in May being the opening date, in addition to the two 48 hour mid-season closures; if he considers it a fair balance between his claim for conservancy needs and the livelihood of the men and families who fish the waters; the number of days by which the season has been reduced since the Commission was set up; and if the reduction is in line with reductions in other fishery board areas.
Written Answers . - Reduction of Salmon Fishing Season .
85.
: Having regard to the serious depletion of the stocks of salmon in the Foyle system in recent years I am fully satisfied that the arrangements for the opening of commercial fishing in the area during 1978 are fully justified. The regulations which govern the fishing are unchanged since 1976 but the seventh Monday after 1 May happens to fall some six days later in 1978 than in 1977. I should say that the Commission proposed to defer the opening date for net fishing at sea and in Lough Foyle until the eighth Monday after 1 May and in the estuary until the ninth Monday but, following consultation with the fishermen and the responsible Minister in Belfast, it was agreed to let the 1977 arrangements stand for 1978.
When the Commission was set up in 1952 commercial fishing was permitted from 15 April to 31 August. The 1978 season runs from 19 June to 31 August. This period is shorter than that which applies in the other fishery districts but the depletion of stocks in the Foyle area has been more serious than elsewhere and has necessitated sterner conservation measures.