asked the Minister for the Marine the plans the Government have to review existing fisheries policies in the context of both the fishing industry and the tourism industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fisheries Policy.
3.
The new Department of the Marine will undertake as one of their first tasks a comprehensive review of fisheries policy in consultation with interested parties including the tourism industry.
Is it the Minister's intention to have fishery boards utilise fishery areas to their full potential? If there are such derelict areas, would it be his intention to acquire them under section 37 of the 1980 Act?
Under existing legislation fishery boards have statutory obligations to develop inland fisheries and most of the boards have undertaken a survey of the catchments within their regions. Earlier this year the Central Fisheries Board published a documented strategy for the development of fisheries indicating a very wide range of initiatives which could be taken in inland fisheries. That report is being studied by my Department. I will bring the Deputy's views to the notice of the board and impress upon them the desirability of organising within their regions the development to the maximum potential of inland fisheries, especially areas which are not being fully utilised.
This report dealt with salmon fishing and showed that 57 per cent of revenue from the salmon fishing industry came from anglers who only accounted for about 4½ per cent of the catch. Is it the Minister's intention, as regards fishermen drift netting with monofilament nets, that the law should be upheld in this regard? Does he intend putting sufficient resources at the disposal of the fisheries boards to ensure this happens and to protect the other end of the industry?
The enforcement of regulations and the possible changes in regard to monofilament netting are the subject of a review initiated by my predecessor. At this stage I will not make any comment because we still have not got the final report of that review committee. As regards drift netting, we give notice that we will not tolerate the illegal activities which have been taking place in recent times. We strongly believe in the enforcement of the fisheries regulations and conservation measures and every effort will be made to stop any illegal and indiscriminate fishing.