Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2021
36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the duration of the draft net season with regard to the Owenea and Owentocker rivers on the Loughros Mór Estuary tidal waters; the duties payable in respect of a special local draft net licence; the allocation of surplus between the rod and line and draft net fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2328/21]
View answerThe recent Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations set out a total surplus of 199 fish available for harvest in the catchment for 2021. This includes fish available for harvest by both anglers and commercial fishermen.
The local Fisheries District Committee, which includes both angling and commercial interests will meet shortly to recommend the division of the surplus available to each sector.
The Commercial fishing season generally opens in May each year and, in advance of this, my Department will set out the annual Control of Fishing for Salmon Order based on the independent scientific advice of the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) and the management advice of IFI.
This order and accompanying legislation will set out the application process and qualification criteria for commercial licences and the specific opening and closing dates for commercial fisheries including Loughros Mór. The statutory duty payable for the relevant special local draft net licence is €400.
