Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2011
65 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the owners of fishing rights to a river can legally charge a price per tag on commercial salmon caught within their area in addition to the charge already imposed for a permission slip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10100/11]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the operation of a several or private fishery. There is legislative provision for the protection of private fisheries under Sections 178 and 179 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, (No 14 of 1959) as amended, for the imposition of penalties for unauthorised entry on several fishery and for fishing with nets in a several fishery without the written permission of the owner. The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No 665 of 2010) includes a provision for the distribution of tags by a several fishery owner.
The management of a several fishery, including charging for permission to harvest salmon, is an operational matter for the owner of the fishery.
