Kathleen Lynch
Question:28 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Marine the progress, if any, that has been made with regard to the salmon management task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8223/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Management Task Force.
Austin Deasy
Question:30 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to create a centralised and more professional system for the allocation of salmon drift-net licences in view of the inequities in the current method of allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8245/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 30 together.
I have recently received the final report of the salmon management task force. I am now studying the report with a view to finalising as soon as possible a comprehensive strategic blueprint for the future management of the wild salmon sector. I intend to publish the report as soon as this can be arranged and to afford the House, or an appropriate committee of the House, the opportunity to have a full debate on the report.
As regards the issue raised by Deputy Deasy, the power to issue drift net licences for salmon is exercised by individual regional fisheries boards under section 67 of the Fisheries Act, 1959 as amended by section 11(4) of the Fisheries Act, 1980.
The criteria by which the boards must allocate drift net licences is set out in the Control of Fishing for Salmon Orders, 1980 and 1982. There are approximately 15 points or conditions which the regional boards must consider in determining the allocation of commercial net licences each year. The purpose of these detailed conditions is to afford as many fishermen as can be accommodated an opportunity to secure an equitable share of the overall salmon catch while ensuring that precedence is given to those who depend on salmon fishing for a significant part of their income.
I have no immediate proposal to create an alternative system for the allocation of net licences. However, the drift net fishery and the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order are among the points explored by the task force. I intend to weigh all recommendations made to me concerning salmon management with a view to implementing practical measures which will secure the future for Irish salmon stocks in the wild.
I appreciate the Minister will have to study the report of the task force before it is published. We all look forward to the opportunity of discussing it when it comes before the House. Will the report have any element within it — or does the Minister consider it worth while having an element within the report — to enlighten the public's attitude towards the salmon industry and the fishing industry generally? We do not have the type of structural history that will attract tourists to Ireland.
However, we have the natural resources in which other countries are sadly lacking in terms of the environment and in this area. To promote that fact we must enlighten the people about the necessity to have an industry of this kind and ensure they realise fully the benefits of it to the country as a whole.
I do not propose to refer to what is in the report, but the remit given to the task force was to prepare practical proposals for the management of wild salmon stocks, taking into account the various policy objectives which I previously outlined to the House. In that context a national salmon policy must take cognisance of numerous issues critical to the conservation of wild salmon stocks and to the maximisation to the economy on a sustainable basis of the value of the wild salmon resource. The regulation of the drift net fishery is but one element of that management.
Salmon fishing, particularly the drift net fishing at sea, has been regulated by a number of measures over the years with a view to ensuring that sufficient numbers escape to their native rivers to secure the continuation of the stocks. These measures include a Community ban on all fishing for salmon outside 12 miles from base lines, a restriction on the numbers of licences for the use of drift nets, no fishing for two days at weekends, annual closed seasons, restrictions on the size of boat, the maximum length and depth of nets that may be used and a ban on the use of monofilament material in drift nets. I agree with Deputy Lynch that the element of public information and education about the value of our fish stocks must form a central part of the strategy in the years ahead.
On a point of order, has the Government absconded?
I am still here.
Notice taken that 20 Members were not present; House counted and 20 Members being present,