asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he or the EEC Council of Ministers have made, or intend to make, approaches to the Faroese concerning the excessive quantities of salmon they are netting thereby seriously damaging the Irish salmon fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Catches.
17.
In negotiations on the conclusion of an EEC-Faroe Islands Fishing Agreement for 1982 the Irish delegation insisted, as part of the agreement, on a substantial reduction in Faroese salmon catches. Because of this stand, the Faroese Government agreed to a reduction in their salmon catches from a projected catch of 1,650 tonnes in the 1981-82 fishing season to 750 tonnes in 1981-82 and to 625 tonnes in 1982-83.
Has the Minister any concrete evidence that this reduction is being implemented by the Faroese Government? I understand that there has been real resistance by the Faroese fishermen to the proposal.
The position is that there are roughly 38 boats from the Faroe Islands fishing for salmon and we are closely examining the situation. The Deputy will be aware that certain discussions have taken place already. An international convention has been held in connection with salmon fishing in the North Atlantic and they have made certain decisions regarding not only the Faroese but also Greenland fishing for salmon. We are keeping in close touch to see that the decisions of this convention are carried out. It is of concern to me that the quotas decided upon at that convention would be implemented.
Deputy Deasy, with a final supplementary question.
Would the Minister please check that these quotas are being implemented? Is the Minister aware of the drastic drop in catches for Irish salmon fishermen in the 1981-82 season, which has been attributed largely to the netting by these Faroese fishermen? Would he agree that that is most likely to be the cause of this drop?
I would agree that it would have a considerable effect on the catches. It would not, however, be the complete reason for the drop in salmon catches. Salmon catches have declined generally over the last few years and others as well as the Faroese have a responsibility here. One must look to conservation measures as well.
Is the Minister concerned about the damage being done by the seal population to the herring stocks on the West coast of Ireland? This is also a matter for discussion within his Department.
This is a separate issue on which I have no information here. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am keeping the matter under review. If he wishes for more information, I can obtain detailed information about the possible damage.
Question No. 18.