asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will extend the number of salmon drift licences being issued to fishermen in the Ballina, Bangor and Ballinakill fishery board areas, County Mayo, for the 1975 fishing season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Drift Licences.
10.
The maximum number of drift net licences that these boards of conservators may issue for the 1975 season is the same as that authorised for the 1974 season; I do not propose to increase it.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give the figures in relation to the different boards mentioned in the question?
The number of drift net licences which boards of conservators may issue for the 1975 fishing season is specified in the Control of Fishing (Salmon) Order, 1974. The number of licences allocated to the three boards concerned is the same as that authorised for issue in 1974. The number of licences allocated by these boards for the 1975 season is as follows: Bangor 25, Ballina, 108, Ballinakill, 47. With the exception of Ballinakill, where 46 licences were issued, the boards concerned issued the maximum number of licences permitted in 1974. I may add that the boards have not yet allocated any of their quota of drift net licences for the 1975 season, but I am informed that they have applications as follows for consideration: Bangor, 36; Ballina, 141; Ballinakill, 45.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the figure in relation to Bangor is not adequate, because they had a tradition for lobster and cray fishing which is now extinct? Would he be prepared to investigate the possibility of increasing the number for Bangor?
I am sorry I cannot accede to the Deputy's request because it was definitely set down in the order that the number would remain the same as that obtaining last year. The Deputy will appreciate, even from his own party in this House, that we had very strong representations to reduce the number of drift net licences. I appreciate the Deputy's concern for the fishermen of the Mayo coast and his views on this question are somewhat similar to mine. But I am sure the Deputy will agree it is not possible to accede to his request.