asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will consider fixing a common opening and closing date for salmon fishing in each river in the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Fishing Season.
59.
The close seasons for salmon fishing are so prescribed as to have regard to the observed habits of the fish which run into different river systems at different times and spend varying periods in attaining the state of maturity at which they finally ascend to the upper waters to spawn. I would not consider changing the season for any river system except on the basis of being satisfied that a change had been shown to be desirable in the interests of the fisheries in the river system as a whole. The Deputy will appreciate accordingly that a common opening and closing date for all rivers in the country is not feasible.
I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary will agree that is a reply worthy of somebody about to send out £600 worth of Christmas cards. Would he not agree that in a small country such as ours the number of changes in the date on which fishing starts and stops is ludicrous? Would he not also agree that a great deal of harm has been done particularly to people who earn their living by fishing on the rivers by having a short season in some places and a longer season in others? Would he not make a common opening and closing date, particularly as they sell the fish on the same market?
Even though we are a small country, the climatic and other conditions vary a good deal from area to area and it is just not possible to make a common date.