Roger T. Garland
Question:13 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the catastrophic decline in fish stocks around our coast, he will outline whether he proposes to introduce a ban on monofilament nets.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Monofilament Nets Use.
First, may I say that I do not agree generally with the Deputy's assessment that the fish stocks around our coast are in a state of catastrophic decline. Both scientific evidence and fishermen's catches would not bear this out although I would accept that there is cause for some concern regarding certain stocks and certain areas. These matters are being actively pursued in my Department at present.
With regard to the use of monofilament nets, such nets are used in sea fishing for gill netting. The principal species caught with this method are hake, monk, megrim, dog fish and tuna and some herring and mackerel. Gill netting is regarded as an effective, efficient and selective form of fishing. If used properly it can contribute more to conservation than say, trawling, through its selectivity, in that undersized or juvenile fish may pass freely through the net and only the larger fish are caught. Fish taken through this method are in a better condition generally than fish taken from trawls. On the other hand if not properly managed fish can be left in nets for considerable periods and not be fit for human consumption when taken from the nets. Fish may also be eaten by other fish or sea mammals. Gill nets that are abandoned or break free from their moorings can continue ghost fishing for a considerable period due to the indestructable nature of the monofilament material.
Large scale draft nets for tuna, greater than 2.5 kilometres, have been banned by the EC recently. I and my Department are considering the effect of these nets and how best they can be managed to ensure the most efficient method of exploitation taking full account of the necessity to protect and conserve stocks. I am monitoring the position closely and I will take whatever action is deemed necessary.
The use of monofilament netting for salmon fishing has been prohibited by bylaw since 1985 in the interest of conservation of salmon stocks and, as I said on a number of occasions previously in this House, I have no plans at this stage to legalise monofilament netting in salmon fishing.
I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies in that the Minister does not wish to turn the clock back on the use of monofilament nets for salmon fishing. However, the Minister does show an alarming degree of complacency. For example, I am sure he knows that for next year the quota for cod is down by 20 per cent and the quota for whiting is down by 30 per cent. There are very serious problems. Would the Minister agree that the fact that monofilament nets are still in use legally in the fishing for certain species provides an excuse for people to use them for catching salmon? Would he agree that at the moment a person caught in possession of a monofilament net for salmon fishing may maintain that he or she is using it for other purposes and that it is very difficult to prove that that is not so?
There is absolutely no complacency on my part. The Deputy mentioned in his question a "catastrophic" decline in fish stocks but we do have, for example, a quota of 76,000 tons of mackerel and a quota of 53,000 tons of herring off our coast, so I would say that the world "catastrophe" does not come into that net.
Is that a red herring?
That one is a little smokey. The fact is that there has been a serious decline in cod and haddock. In ICES Area 6 the effect is being felt, but the real impact is in the North Sea where the decline has been catastrophic and about which the Council of Ministers is seriously concerned. Technical conservation measures have been the subject of strong debate in the Council for some time and it is hoped that the conservation measures taken will be effective.
Would the Minister agree that monofilament rogue netting, netting cast adrift at sea, is causing serious damage to fish life around the coast? Has he in place any measure to try to counteract the effects of netting cut adrift from trawlers at sea?
I did mention the point that the Deputy has raised in my reply. Ghost fishing, netting that breaks away at sea and so on, does constitute a serious hazard to marine life. Very little can be done about that except to instil into those who use the nets a sense of responsibility. It is accepted that occasionally, through no fault of their own, fishermen will lose nets — there is no question about that and there is nothing we can do about it. However, those who for one reason or another, whether it be because they are involved in illegal activities, deliberately cut nets are very irresponsible. If those people could be found out they would be suitably punished, but that is a very difficult matter to deal with.
I am sure the Minister knows that the most recent inter-departmental report on salmon fishing, by the salmon review group, recommended legalising the use of monofilament nets for salmon drift net fishing in a restricted way. Has that report been considered by the Government, as it was produced three or four years ago? Does the Minister have any intention of implementing the recommendation on driftnet salmon fishing off the west coast?
That is a separate matter.
The Deputy is correct, the report did suggest the legalising of monofilament nets in a restricted fashion. That recommendation, however, cut across the interests of other fishermen, as the Deputy knows. My Department — I had not taken up the portfolio at the time — attempted to form some kind of rapport between the various interests. They did not so succeed. There is nothing I can do at the moment except to continue the ban on monofilament netting of salmon off our coast.
May I ask another question, please?
A short question.
The issue is causing much concern in my area and in the west. In fact, fishermen's wives have banded together under the organisation, Mná na Mara. I understand they were in touch with the Minister on several occasions and are most anxious to meet him to discuss the entire matter. Will the Minister say whether he is willing to meet them and when he will meet them?
We are drifting away from the question before us.
I wish to tell the Deputy that Aire na Mara will meet Mná na Mara in Roinn na Mara as soon as that can be arranged.