Vol. 474 No. 6
42 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine if he intends to reduce net licences on the tidal waters of the River Shannon in relation to regulations made this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3645/97]
The tidal and freshwater boundary of the river Shannon is set at the weir or dam known as Corbally Mill Weir. The number of licences allowed on these tidal waters are prescribed under section 23 of the Shannon Fisheries Act, 1935 which establishes a maximum of 70 drift nets and 25 draft nets or seines in this area.
Section 88 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959 empowers the Minister to make regulations altering the number of licences in this area, provided the new number does not exceed the statutory maximum. There are no proposals at present to reduce the number of net licences on these tidal waters, although, as the Deputy is doubtless aware, the number of commercial drift and draft licences in the Limerick district have been capped at 1995 levels under the new Control of Fishing for Salmon (Amendment) Order, 1996. The Shannon regional fisheries board has advised that any such proposal could be assessed in the context of the local catchment salmon management plan which the board is developing, in consultation with local fishing interests.
