Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 4

Written Answers - North Atlantic Salmon Fund.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

90 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the matters discussed at his meeting with the chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund; his views on the call by the chairman for Irish salmon drift-netsmen to surrender their licences in return for financial compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12785/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

The purpose of my meeting with the chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund was a mutual exchange of views regarding salmon conservation strategies for the North Atlantic salmon resource and, in particular, the international experience in the area of voluntary schemes to reduce commercial fishing for salmon. The North Atlantic Salmon Fund has as one of its stated objectives the restoration of wild salmon stock through negotiations with commercial fishermen and other interested parties on voluntary buy-out.

My discussions with Mr. Vigfusson focused on practical steps that could be taken concerning commercial fishing for salmon in the context of salmon conservation policies generally, and I informed Mr. Vigfusson that I would examine any proposal the North Atlantic Salmon Fund wished to make to me on this matter. Proposals from the North Atlantic Salmon Fund were forwarded on 20 April and I have asked my Department to assess these in consultation with the National Salmon Commission.

The issues inherent in the buy-out of commercial salmon interests are complex and the international experience is mixed. I wish to caution against calls for simplistic solutions to be applied in the Irish context.