Vol. 568 No. 5
311 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the ESB plans to compensate eel fishermen during the declining catches on the River Shannon; the plans he has to close down eel fishing on the Shannon in the interest of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/03]
I have no plans to close down commercial eel fishing on the River Shannon nor am I aware of any proposals from the ESB to compensate eel fishermen for declining catches on the river. I am advised that the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is assisting the ESB to harvest glass eels and elvers to meet the restocking requirement to continue commercial eel fishing on a sustainable level.
312 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of glass eels and elvers the ESB has captured in the Shannon Estuary with licences issued by his Department in the years 1997 to 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16738/03]
It has not been possible for me to gather, within the time available, an accurate account of the number of glass eels and elvers captured by the ESB in the Shannon estuary in respect of the years 1997 to 2002, as sought by the Deputy. I have, however, asked the chief executive officer of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board to provide this information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
313 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a person is convicted of a fishing offence, the length of time it will take before he or she can qualify for a fishing licence again; and if this person can become an authorised senior helper. [16778/03]
316 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of hours a person must fish in inshore waters to be classified as a full-time inshore fisherman or commercial fisherman; and the basis of this calculation. [16781/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 316 together.
Under the Fisheries Acts, the regional fisheries boards are responsible for issuing salmon fishing licences. All applications for such licences are considered in accordance with the Control of Fishing for Salmon Orders 1980 to 1997. A person convicted of a fishing offence may, following the expiry period of any disqualification order issued by the courts, apply again for a commercial fishing licence.
The Control of Fishing for Salmon Orders set maximum numbers of licences which may be issued by the regional board in each fishery district. In allocating the licences, priority is first given to applications from persons who derived a substantial part of their livelihood from fishing for salmon under a licence issued in the previous year. Accordingly, a person failing to meet this criteria is accorded a lower priority which, given the maximum number of licences applicable, may result in the application being unsuccessful.
314 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the records which are kept of fish that are sold privately by commercial fishermen. [16779/03]
Under the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2003, a commercial fisherman must record the name and address of the purchaser and the number of salmon and sea trout sold to that person in the salmon and sea trout commercial fishing logbook. This logbook is issued to the fisherman by the Central Fisheries Board at the start of the fishing season and must be returned to the chief executive officer of the relevant regional fisheries board within a period of seven days commencing on the day after the last day of the relevant fishing season.
315 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it will be deemed necessary for all new fishing licence applicants to provide details of their PPSN; and if so, the reason therefor. [16780/03]
319 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to restrict the transfer of fishing licences except to immediate family members. [16784/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 319 together.
The Control of Fishing for Salmon Order sets out the categories and numbers of commercial licences which may be issued by the regional fisheries boards in each fishery district. The National Salmon Commission is reviewing the application of the order and is examining the changes needed to rationalise its operation. The issues raised by the Deputy will be fully considered in the context of this review. Subject to the emerging advice from the salmon commission, any changes will be put in place for the 2004 fishing season.
Question No. 316 answered with Question No. 313.
317 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to increase the cost of commercial salmon licences; and if so, the justification for same. [16782/03]
The cost of commercial salmon fishing licences was last increased on 1 January 1988 under Statutory Instrument No. 343 of 1987. The National Salmon Commission and the National Fisheries Management Executive are considering the cost of these licences in the context of their review of the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order. I expect that they will make a recommendation to me on a range of licensing issues, including the cost of licences, over the coming months.
318 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to introduce regulations for the creation of fish sanctuaries; and his views on the effect this will have on licence holders. [16783/03]
I have no plans to introduce regulations for the creation of fish sanctuaries. I understand however that my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, intends to propose additional special areas of conservation for designation under the EU habitats directive, the proposals for which focus primarily on rivers, to support the conservation of salmon and other aquatic species.
Question No. 319 answered with Question No. 315.
