asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the changes he has made to the fishing regulations for the 1984 salmon season; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Fisheries Regulations.
10.
I am making the following changes in the fishing regulations for the 1984 salmon season: (1) in the southern fisheries region the commercial salmon fishing season is being extended by one week so that the close season will commence on 8 August, and the draft and snap net season by a further five days so that the close season for these engines will commence on 13 August; (2) the draft, loop and snap net fishing season is being extended by one week after the close of the drift net season in all areas, i.e. the close season for these engines will commence on 1 August, except on the east coast and in the southern fisheries region where the close season will commence on 13 August; (3) the by-law banning the use of monofilament netting for salmon fishing is being retained but is being amended so as to ensure that fishermen engaged legitimately in fishing for species other than salmon are not liable to conviction; (4) the angling season on the River Fane is being extended to 13 October; (5) the angling season on the River Owenea has been extended by two weeks, i.e. the annual close season on this river now ends on 14 March.
These measures were taken following detailed consultation with the various salmon fishing interests concerned and their effects will be kept under review by my Department.
What is the Minister's objective in introducing these changes? Is it his objective to conserve stocks or have them more fully exploited? There seems to be a contradiction in some of the decisions made.
The reason for the changes in dates is to try to distribute the stock more equitably. Drift nets take 83 per cent of the total catch as against 11 per cent by draft nets while other commercial fishing engines take 3 per cent. Anglers in total take 3 per cent. From those figures one can see that there is an imbalance. The changes are being made in the dates in an effort to redress that imbalance. The second change is being made in order to eliminate an anomaly because of the increasing use of monofilament for the fishing of species other than salmon. Heretofore persons found with monofilament net on board their boat were breaking the law in spite of the fact that they may not have had the net for the purpose of fishing for salmon; they may have had it for the purpose of fishing hake or other species. It is in order to regularise the position and eliminate the anomaly that existed that an amendment to the by-law is being introduced.
When is it hoped to make the order in relation to the use of monofilament net for species other than salmon? Will the Minister accept that many of the boats that traditionally fish for salmon have changed to dog fish now, an activity which is reasonably remunerative? Those fishermen are having great difficulty.
It is hoped to make it this week.