Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Salmon Industry.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

205 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has in relation to the setting up of a buy-out scheme for net-salmon licence holders; the regulations originating from central government and from the EU regarding salmon netmen here; the plans he has to bring these laws into force in order to regularise this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21412/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey):

The national salmon stocks remain vulnerable and for this reason I endorse any initiative which assists in an increased escapement of salmon to spawn. I have made it clear that I want the salmon fishing sector to have a viable future, but this future critically depends on effective restoration and conservation of the salmon resource. Important measures are currently in place aimed at conserving and enhancing these stocks and I am currently reviewing these in the light of the experience of the season now coming to a close.

It is important that all sectors share in the burden of reducing salmon catches. In July last, on the advice of the National Salmon Commission, I banned the sale of rod caught fish from 1 August 2001 and I asked the commission to advise me on further measures to reduce the rod catch. I also indicated that I would consider the position of the commercial salmon fishing sector in the context of the results of the salmon tagging programme, which I introduced on 1 January last, before considering what additional measures may be necessary to reduce the catch further in 2002. The compilation and analysis of this year's tagging returns are in progress and I expect to receive these in a few weeks' time. Salmon is not a regulated species under the CFP framework.

In recent months I have met with a number of individuals and groups to hear their views on the buy-out of driftnet salmon licences. The objective of buy-outs is to ensure that more salmon enter our rivers in order to spawn, thus underpinning the sustainable development of the species. It is not necessarily the case that a buy-out of any individual commercial fishermen will result in an overall reduction of the levels of exploitation by the sector. It is not clear that a national buy-out scheme is a cost efficient workable solution that delivers real results. International experience is at best mixed and I remain unconvinced that a national buy-out scheme is the best answer at this point in time. However, I am prepared to consider the issue further in the context of the outcome of the 2001 tagging scheme and of the range of options for incentivising reductions in the commercial catch, including a set aside scheme.