Since coming into office in January 2000 I have received many representations from, and met, delegations of salmon fishermen, both commercial and recreational anglers. These have included the North West Salmon Netsmen Association. The topics which have been covered in these contacts have included the current effort limitation regime in regard to commercial salmon fishing, the other restrictions related to the angling sector and the proposed introduction in 2002 and beyond of fishery district quotas for taking salmon by commercial fishing engines. These ongoing contacts have served to reinforce my commitment to the future development of both the commercial fishery and the recreational fishery for salmon. They have also allowed me to explain to the commercial fishermen the need to have increasing regard to the position of salmon stocks.
I wish to see a sustainable fishery based on quality and value rather than volume in the commercial sector while for the angling sector I wish to see investment in the ongoing development of angling as a valued pastime and as an important tourism product.
The Marine Institute advises me that average salmon spawning escapement is below the conservation limit in nine of the 17 fishery districts in the State. This means that in those nine districts the stock levels have dropped below the optimum carrying capacity of the catchment within those districts and, in others, to levels where the viability of the river catchments is threatened. Accordingly, on the basis of the best scientific and fisheries management advice available, I have decided to act now with the objective of improving spawning escapement which will I hope, lead to a restoration of adult salmon returns to the Irish coast in the years ahead.
Taking into account socio-economic factors affecting coastal communities, it is proposed to moderate the proposed reductions in commercial catches from the scientific recommendation of approximately 34%. In formulating these proposals I have considered the arguments of those groups, at home and abroad, who propose a buy-out of commercial fishing licences. The focus on this issue has been an unhelpful distraction, it has raised expectations about bonanzas and has not served the interests of the sector or the resource. Accordingly, I have ruled out buy-out as the way forward. However, subject to Exchequer funding I will continue to support local catchment based set-aside proposals with matching funding.
The chairman of the National Salmon Commission has informed me that, following its meeting yesterday, the commission will advise me to publish draft regulations for the implementation of the new quota regime for the coming season. I have requested the chief executives of the fisheries boards and the scientific advisers, with the assistance of the BIM inshore development officers, to engage in a comprehensive round of consultations at national and regional level with the commercial fishermen. My purpose in doing so is to ensure the scientific advice is available and explained at first hand to all fishermen and to ensure that the practical arrangements for the administration of the district quotas are reasonable, workable and reflect the needs of the fishermen. Following this round of consultations and further consideration by the National Salmon Commission, and at the end of the 30 day public consultation period, I propose to sign the necessary regulations to provide for the fishery district quotas to be put into operation through the tagging scheme.
I emphasise that I acknowledge the fears and concerns of those in coastal communities who depend on the annual salmon run for a much needed source of income as well as for the continuation of traditions passed down the generations. I will ensure, in so far as is possible, that these fears and concerns are fairly addressed. However, the scientific evidence points to a decline in the salmon stock over recent years, which is irrefutably endorsed by emerging robust scientific data generated as a result of the work of the Marine Institute. The data and advice available to me is that, unless action is taken now, salmon stocks will slip to the point where they may be no longer capable of supporting a commercial fishery or a thriving angling sector. In the face of that advice I am sure the House will accept that doing nothing is not an option.
I hope that, if we act collectively in a responsible manner to protect the salmon resource over the short term, we will enhance its availability over the medium to long term to the benefit of all who depend on it. I would urge all to support this first step in a new direction, based on the science and socio-economic needs of the commercial sector, aimed at giving salmon the fighting chance it deserves.