Andrew Boylan
Question:8 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has for the continuation of drift netting for salmon off the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23408/01]
Other Questions - Fishing Fleet Protection.
My policy for salmon aims to secure a future for all interests while delivering on the conservation imperative. Both the recreational and commercial sectors must accept the need for reductions in fishing effort to restore and sustain salmon stocks.
A range of conservation measures are already in place to conserve declining salmon stocks and I have made it clear that I will put in place all necessary additional conservation measures to protect the salmon resource. I have also made it clear that both the recreational and commercial sectors must share responsibility for reducing salmon catches.
In July last, on the advice of the National Salmon Commission, I banned the sale of rod caught fish from 1 August 2001. I have asked the commission to advise me on further measures to protect vulnerable spring salmon stocks. I have also indicated that I will review the measures in place for the commercial salmon fishing sector in light of the results of the salmon tagging programme. In that context additional measures may be necessary to reduce the catch further in 2002. The compilation and analysis of this year's tagging returns is in progress and will be available shortly, and in the light of this analysis I will be looking to the National Salmon Commission to provide advice on possible new management measures designed to ensure a real reduction in the number of salmon taken by commercial nets.
I have outlined on several occasions my view that there is a future for the Irish commercial sal mon sector based around quality and value as opposed to volume and low prices. My preferred strategy is to reduce the take while enhancing the price dividend for fishermen through improved quality and marketing. BIM's new wild salmon quality scheme is designed to ensure that wild salmon achieves the highest possible market price as a premium quality product.
Does the Minister envisage a continuation of drift netting for salmon off the coast?
Anyone who lives among drift net fishermen will be aware that it will be very difficult to do away with a tradition. Obviously it is an area that is being investigated. A pilot scheme is in operation. The purchase of drift nets, draft nets and snap nets has been spoken about on a number of occasions. At this stage I would be misleading the House to go any further than that.
I have listened to debates here on the winding down of drift netting. The Minister of State mentioned that he and the Minister would like to get the views and report of the Salmon Commission. Do he and the Minister take any notice of the Salmon Commission given that, recently, some of the signals from that commission to the Minister were not acceptable, so much so that the chairman of the commission had to resign? Do I take it that the relationship is back on an even keel and that once the Salmon Commission is set up, the Minister of State and the Minister will take note of what it has to say.
Three Deputies are offering. I suggest we hear them before the Minister of State replies.
As one who has been involved in the three elements of fishing – rod, net and draft – I express my total opposition to any suggestion that drift net fishing should be continued. Will the Minister agree it is recognised nationally and internationally that the single greatest danger to wild salmon stocks has been and will continue to be drift net fishing?
The Deputy may remember that poaching is a far more potent way of reducing the salmon stocks.
That does not happen in our area.
It happens everywhere. It is happening now wholesale, particularly on the rivers. What plans has the Minister of State to buy out the licences of drift net fishermen which would satisfy people such as Deputy Bell and maybe some other Deputies and fishermen, who consider that the present system does not give them a fair chance of making a living. This buy-out scheme has been in operation on the River Blackwater, particularly for licences owned by some of the old landlords. Why is a buy-out system not being put in place for the fishermen in coastal areas?
Would the Minister of State put drift netting higher or lower on his scale of priorities than sport angling? What is the status of a recent survey carried out among drift net fishermen as to what would be their reaction to a buy-out scheme? Does that mean the Minister will propose a buy-out scheme or was he simply flying a kite, to use a totally inappropriate metaphor?
I am delighted Deputy Dukes said it was an inappropriate metaphor. To reply to the questions as they were posed, I suggest to Deputy Connaughton that we do not all agree from time to time. We can work with people with whom we do not agree but at the end of the day maybe a consensus will be reached. Whatever the arguments and however difficult they may have been, the Deputy can rest assured that there is a working arrangement with the commission. In regard to Deputy Bell's suggestion that the drift net, draft net and snap net licences should be bought out, a substantial majority would agree with him. Deputy Deasy will be aware—
Some 99% believe it should be discontinued. I cannot understand how—
The Deputy could well be correct.
Answer the question. It is all about seats in the west.
Deputy Bell, allow the Minister of State to reply without interruption. Time is precious.
I will mention those who hold the licences. Deputy Deasy referred to the pilot scheme on the River Blackwater to which I referred earlier; therefore, things are happening. I should say, without being too dictatorial, that when one lives among people who traditionally have had drift nets, draft nets and snap nets, it is not that easy. Any net or tradition is for sale at the right price but we have to strike a balance. One cannot be held over a barrel. I do not want to go down the road any further because of the pilot scheme. Because of its success we will be moving in that direction.
It is not about salmon, it is about seats.
It is not. I want to temper all of that with the rights—
The balance is over in Mayo with Fine Gael.
I am surprised that Deputies opposite have become political.
We have run out of time on this question.
That is the problem of Deputies opposite. They will not let me answer. All I am saying is that taking away a tradition in any area is difficult. Deputy Bell said 99% of the people share his view. I would not disagree with that.
What is the percentage? Is it 85%?
The Deputy could well be correct.
The Minister sought advice and he does not like the results.
We are fortunate to have a man of the intelligence and knowledge of Deputy Dukes in the House. I would aspire to be like him some day but not to sit in that position.