Written Answers. - Eel Fisheries.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:
71
Mr. McCormack
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the steps, if any, he will take regarding the use of long-lines for eel fishing purposes on the western lakes in view of the recent court decision on this matter; if he will introduce amending primary legislation as a result of this court case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18377/97]
Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:
72
Mr. O'Malley
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if he will make a by-law or a ministerial order under the Fisheries Acts, with immediate effect, in order to protect stocks of eels, salmon, brown trout and pike from exploitation and possible extinction by fishermen using miles of longlines baited with worms every five feet on the western lakes.
[18333/97]
Michael Ring
Question:
75
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine
Regional and Natural Resources if there has been a drop in the eel population on the three western lakes in the North Western Fisheries Board area; and if so, the action, if any, his Department intends to take to address the situation.
[17691/97]
Michael Ring
Question:
76
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the plans, if any, his Department has to apply a moratorium on long line eel fishing as a matter of urgency and to ban long line fishing completely in the long-term or to restore the licensing powers to the fisheries boards before new licences can be issued on 1 January 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17692/97]
Michael Ring
Question:
77
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if the fisheries boards can restrict the number of people, especially those not local to a certain area, from casting long lines to catch eels.
[17693/97]
Michael Ring
Question:
78
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the powers, if any, of the fisheries boards to regulate the issuing of long line licences for eel fishing.
[17694/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 72, 75, 76, 77 and 78 together.
Fully up-to-date figures are not available on eel stocks in the north-western lakes, so it is not possible to say to what extent their numbers have declined. However, I am aware of the concerns about present levels of fishing for eels with long-lines and the need to regulate this activity. I have asked the Marine Institute to develop proposals for an integrated conservation and development strategy for the eel fishery, and a preliminary report will be available shortly.
Current scientific advice on the state of European eel stocks points to serious concerns for the continued survival of the species. Eels depend on a common spawning stock and artificial propagation has not been made possible in spite of extensive experimental work. The international scientific working group on eels recommends that the "precautionary principle" should apply, and that exploitation should not increase above current levels unless complemented by stock enhancement programmes.
In a judgment of the Circuit Court in March 1997, it was held that a ministerial authorisation was not required to fish for eels using longlines, contrary to the apparent intention of the Fisheries Acts and the previous management and licensing practice of the Department and the regional fisheries boards. The practical result has been that anyone is entitled to a licence from the local fisheries board and fish unrestricted. This has led to a demonstrable increase in longlining activity this year with consequent risks for stocks.
I have met the Western Regional Fisheries Board in recent weeks to hear their particular concerns. I have asked the Central Fisheries Board as a matter of urgency to co-ordinate the input of the regional fisheries boards and to advise on the statutory changes required arising out of the recent court decision. I intend to progress the necessary primary legislation without delay in light of the advice of the boards. I am also conscious of a possible risk to other stocks such as salmon, trout and pike, and I will ensure that these species are also covered by any measures introduced to regulate longlining.
In the meantime, it is the case that the powers of the regional boards in this matter are limited: a board must issue a licence to anyone who applies for it. The board may nominate the individuals who may fish under the licence, to restrict their number, but no restriction can be imposed on the number of people who may separately apply for licences. In addition to progressing the legislative amendments required to address the anomaly I am reviewing the scope for the immediate introduction of provisions to tackle the problem without delay.
