Vol. 490 No. 5
88 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will list the number of licences granted by his Department in relation to the removal of elvers from Irish rivers in each of the years from 1990 to date for conservation measures and for sale to private commercial interests and outside the State. [10573/98]
The information being sought by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and I will forward the details to the Deputy when available.
89 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the returns for 1997 in relation to brown eels. [10574/98]
The catch returns for 1997 in relation to brown eels are being compiled by the Marine Institute and I will forward the details to the Deputy when available.
90 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the conservation measures in place to ensure sufficient silver eels are allowed to leave Irish waters; the number of eel licences granted annually for each of the years from 1991 to 1997 for silvers; and the number of permanent eel traps located on the river Shannon. [10575/98]
Any person wishing to capture silver eels by means of a fixed engine requires an authorisation under Part VIII of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959, as amended, and also a licence from the local regional fisheries board.
The main conservation measure to allow the escapement of silver eels from Irish rivers during harvesting is the requirement that operators of fixed engines must provide a free gap in the deepest part of the river not less than one tenth of the width of the river, in accordance with section 107 of the aforesaid Act.
There are three permanent eel traps in the river Shannon. The number of licences granted annually for each of the years 1991 to 1997 for the capture of silver eels is as follows:
Silver Eel Licences
|
Regions |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
|
Eastern |
5 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Southern |
6 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
|
South-Western |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
|
Shannon |
72 |
96 |
92 |
82 |
82 |
82 |
85 |
|
Western |
18 |
32 |
29 |
29 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
|
North-Western |
11 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
|
*Northern |
– |
– |
12 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
7 |
