Vol. 413 No. 5
56 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make it compulsory that (1) all those who are granted licenses to fish eels in the future are residents of the State; and (2) fishing mechanisms be used which do not affect other fish life in the lakes being fished.
All applications to fish for eels are vetted by the relevant regional fisheries board and licences are only issued to persons approved by the boards as part of their statutory functions relating to the management of fisheries. Existing domestic legislation does not permit a residence requirement to be attached to eel fishing licences and it is doubtful if EC rules would allow such a requirement to be introduced.
Extensive research has shown that the eel fishing gear authorised for use in this country does not significantly affect other fish life. The gear is highly selective for eel fishing and occasional capture of other species has little effect on the stocks thereof.
