asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he is aware of the hardships caused to the Donegal fishermen by the continuous practice of seine net-fishing carried on by the Scotch steam drifters in Downings Bay and along the Donegal coast, and, if so, whether he will state what steps, if any, are being taken by his Department to deal with this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seine Net-Fishing Along Donegal Coast.
Reports have been received by me regarding the operations of two or three steam drifters which are using the Danish seine nets in Lough Swilly and Sheep-haven Bay.
No restriction has ever been put upon this form of fishing on the Donegal coast. The question of imposing such restrictions is at present under consideration.
Is the Minister aware that the use of the Danish seine net practised by the Scotch steam drifters is so effective that if you throw out a knife it will take it up, and that all the herring fry and small fish are destroyed by this method? The result is that serious loss is occasioned to the fishing industry in the district. Is the Minister also aware that the white sea fishing carried on by the local fishermen in former years, before this practice was adopted by the Scotch fishermen, and upon which they depended solely or at least to a great extent for their livelihood, can no longer be carried on? They have been deprived of this means of earning their livelihood by the adoption of the Danish seine net by the Scotch fishermen. I would like to know from the Minister if he will take immediate steps to prohibit this practice. I am informed that the same practice is prohibited by a by-law in Scotch and English waters. Therefore I think it is only reasonable that the law here should be so amended as to prohibit this practice in future.
It is because of the complaints that have been made that the thing is being investigated as to whether or not it has the detrimental effect that the Deputy suggests. Of course a by-law, if made, would affect our own people as well as those using the Danish seine net.
I understand that it is only steam drifters who are using the Danish seine net, and that none of the Irish fishing boats have yet adopted that practice. I do not know that any boat can use it other than a steam drifter.
It is used mostly, I think, off steam drifters or off a power boat.
Were these operations that took place in our own territorial waters?
Yes.