asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the reason for the proposed ban on the use of mono and multi-mono filament netting by Irish fishermen; whether other member Governments of the EEC intend to introduce a similar ban on their fishermen; and whether he considers that the use of such nets should be encouraged while restricting instances of overfishing by other methods.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Nets Ban.
3.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the use of monofilament and multistrand monofilament netting in fishing for salmon. The use of these types of netting for salmon fishing has been prohibited since 1 January 1977 under Bye-Law No. 590, 1976. That bye-law prohibits also the possession of nets made up wholly or partly of such materials with a mesh size in excess of 1 13/16 " knot to knot.
I am not aware of any similar national provisions applicable in other EEC member countries but the United Kingdom is the only major salmon producing country in the EEC. In that regard there is no national prohibition on the use of monofilament netting for salmon fishing in England, Scotland or Wales. In Scotland, however, fishing for salmon by drift net, other gill net, trawl net, seine net, troll or long line is prohibited. In England and Wales ten regional water authorities have responsibility for the conservation of freshwater fisheries and two of these prohibit by bye-law the use of monofilament netting for salmon fishing. In Northern Ireland the use of monofilament netting for salmon fishing is also prohibited.
I am firmly of opinion that, for conservation reasons, the use of monofilament netting for salmon fishing should continue to be prohibited. There is however, no objection to the use of monofilament nets for sea fishing.
Would the Minister agree that there is inconsistency among the member states? Am I to understand that this has not been prohibited in the UK? If he agrees there are inconsistencies, what action does he propose to take to correct them?
I am not going to get into the area of inconsistencies. My concern is for the conservation of the salmon stock in this country. That is my sole concern and I will ensure that adequate steps will be taken to ensure conservation because salmon are suffering grave diminution in numbers over the past number of years. It does not concern me what other countries do to conserve their salmon stocks.
Due to the fact that we have prohibited the use of monofilament nets here, other countries in the European Community should adopt the same procedure and I would ask the Minister to request other countries to prohibit the use of monofilament nets.
I will certainly do so.