asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the general dissatisfaction which exists regarding legislative regulations governing salmon fishing; the number of fishermen at present in prison or facing prison sentences arising out of breaches of salmon fishing regulations; and if he has any proposals for change in this area.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Fishing Regulations.
39.
I am aware that there is dissatisfaction among some fishermen with certain aspects of the regulations governing salmon fishing but I do not accept that there is general dissatisfaction with them. These regulations are intended primarily to conserve stocks of salmon to ensure its survival as a species for exploitation by future generations. I am satisfied that the majority of fishermen recognise and accept the need for such regulations.
I understand that there are some fishermen serving or facing prison sentences arising from breaches of the relevant regulations. While the regulations are kept under constant review by my Department and are amended from time to time as considered necessary, I have no plans to change the legislative provisions relating to penalties for breaches of these regulations.
What is the extent of the problem? How many people have been imprisoned and how many are facing prison sentances? Are they scattered throughout the various areas or are they confined to one locality?
In the eastern region there is one charge pending and one on appeal; in the southern region there have been one sentence of imprisonment and two on appeal; in the south-west, there are two in prison and one on appeal.
The Minister will be aware that his predecessor had a number of meetings with representatives of these fishermen in the various board areas and that they have expressed their general dissatisfaction at the way the regulations are being imposed? Does he intend to meet the fishermen this year, now that we are about to start the salmon season? The Minister will be aware that there have been many incidents and problems during the past number of years and would it not be in the interests of peace, harmony and conservation if the Minister took an opportunity to meet these fishermen to try to reach some kind of solution?
This has been done. We have met the IFO — I have gone to Donegal to meet a number of people — and I have gone to Helvick. If I were to get requests from individual groups rather than the IFO as a unit it would be better because the IFO say they represent the interests of drift-net fishermen. For the information of the Deputy, in recent years illegal salmon fishing has increased. The protection staff employed by the boards to conserve stocks are the subject of attack by many of those people. There has been violence, including the use of firearms, slash hooks, flares and iron bars. They have been used by fishermen against the boards' protection staff. The families of some of the protection staff and board managers have been threatened by those people. It arises because there are certain regulations governing the length of net, the type of net and so forth. There are quite a number of these 900 drift-net licence holders trying to break these laws and regulations, no matter what is said or done.
Is the Minister satisfied after meeting with the various interests that there is no need for a change in the regulations?
I am satisfied there is no need for a change in the regulations. If I were to change the regulations to the satisfacton of the drift-net fishermen, they would wipe out stocks of wild salmon, probably in one season.
So there will be no changes.
No, but we will hope to enforce the regulations fully during the coming season.
There is very little finance and there are no boats.