At the outset I thank all of the Senators for their very kind wishes on my appointment as Minister of State. Needless to say that I will take decision that will be in the best interests of the industry generally. I also thank the Senators for their very constructive contributions and I must say that I was extremely impressed with the very keen interest shown by the Senators who contributed to the debate and their knowledge of the salmon fishing industry.
I wish to refer to a number of points made by the various Senators commencing with those raised by Senator Maurice Manning. A number of the points made by him were also made by other Senators in their contributions on salmon conservation, the regional fishery boards, their funding, management, their development and promotion of inland and sea fishing generally.
I accept there were cutbacks in all Departments and every Minister and every semi-State body and the regional boards suffered as a result of the cutbacks, but I think I should point out that the regional boards are not financed directly by the Department of the Marine. We finance the Central Fishery Board and they in turn finance the regional fisheries boards. In 1986 the total grant to the Central Fishery Board was £5.022 million and this year it was £4.813 million, a drop of some 4 per cent. I certainly think that should be increased because the Central Fishery Board have statutory obligations and we must ensure that we give them sufficient money to do this. We have asked them to do their utmost and work within these financial constraints in order to ensure that they can stamp out illegal fishing to the best of their ability. They of course have a back up from the Naval Service and from the Garda Síochána. The role of the navy is twofold. First, to protect the fisheries outside our 12 mile limit and second, to assist the protection staff of the regional fisheries boards inside our 12-mile limit. We would like to think they are available all along the coast at all times within the 12-mile limit. However there must be a sense of proportion. The navy have over the years done excellent work, bearing in mind that they have a vast area of sea to patrol right out to our 200 miles limit. However, they have apprehended very many boats outside and indeed a number of boats inside the 12-mile limit. In my own county there was a case before the courts on the very day we had a debate in the Dáil some two weeks ago. A number of the minesweepers are decommissioned now and the Minister, Deputy Daly, has made a case to the Community for assistance towards surveillance and hopefully the position will improve in the years to come.
Fishermen have a very important and key role to play in the management of our fisheries. They appreciate fully that fish is a renewable resource and we must ensure that fisheries do not continue to overfish. There are a number of conservation measures, the most important of which was referred to by a number of Senators, that is, the weekend closed season. As Minister of State at the Department I pointed out on numerous occasions before the season started in the debate in the Dáil, and I will take the opportunity in this House this evening to reiterate that I have no mercy whatsoever for weekend fishing or for what is very prevalent in certain parts of the country, end of season fishing. End of the season fishing does not give an opportunity for fish to get up the rivers. That is problem No. 1, and there is the other direct economic disadvantage in that the fish that are landed and sold at the end of the season are sold at almost 50 per cent of the market price. That has an effect not on the price at the current season but on the price in the following season. We must protect not only the fishermen but the fish processors and smokers and ensure that this practice will be stamped out. I am sounding a warning in this House that end of season fishing and weekend fishing will not be condoned by me, by the Minister, by the boards or any officials of my Department. That is the most important one of all, and there the fishermen themselves can play a key role.
We had some difficulty in a part of the country which happens to be in my county last weekend. During last week I appealed to the fishermen in that country and throughout the country to refrain from weekend fishing. I am delighted to be able to report that last week very few boats, if any, were out. The fishermen respected this request. Some speakers mentioned that a small percentage of irresponsible fishermen can tarnish the image and reputation of the many responsible fishermen along our coast. We should bear this in mind. I assure the Senators that I share their concern about the future of the industry.
Senator Manning referred to conservation and suggested that we look at the position in Canada and Norway. I suggest that if we were to compensate the drift net fishermen that could be very costly. This has proved to be so in Canada. However, it has been partially successful. This and the other measures referred to are under consideration by the salmon review group. We hope to have their report available to us in a few months, and I assure this House that we will act on it at the earliest possible date because none of us wants a recurrence of what happens every year. I hope the incidents which we experienced recently have been a lesson to all right down the coast because the season will go on longer the further south we go. The people concerned in those incidents learned a lesson and all others similarly involved will be treated in the same manner. On that Saturday evening I issued a statement condemning these activities and said that we would tolerate no attacks on our law enforcement agencies. I assure the House that if there are any further such attacks we shall certainly deal with them.
Senator McDonald referred to the legislation, which is quite simple but very important. I assure him this will be enforced immediately it is enacted after it passes through this House and is signed by the President. He referred to the attacks on the law enforcement agencies, and I think we are all at one on that.
Senator Ferris mentioned the end of season, and I have stated that we will not tolerate that end of season activity. He also referred to the importance of trout and salmon angling to the tourist industry. That can continue only providing that we allow enough fish up our rivers. At this stage I would like to pay tribute to the many angling associations throughout this country who are responsible for the restocking of many of our rivers. While there is no monetary return to them, they have a deep-rooted interest in the industry and I take this opportunity to thank them.
Another very important question raised was that of pollution. If you, a Chathaoirligh, will bear with me I will dwell on this for a few moments. The responsibility for water pollution would fall primarily within the jurisdiction of the Department of the Environment and the local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977. The protection of fishing waters from pollution and poisoning is provided for under sections of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959. The regional fisheries boards are responsible for the protection of fisheries and fish-bearing waters under the Fisheries Act, 1980. They usually prosecute pollution offences detected by them under these sections. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is £500 or, at the discretion of the court, imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. The regional fisheries boards submit reports to my Department in respect of each individual fish kill which is reported to them. The causes of fish kills originate from various sources, notably poor farm practices in regard to the storage and disposal of animal slurries, silage effluent, pesticide wastes and industrial activities. The Northern and North Western Regional Fisheries Boards, insert advertisements in the local papers circulating in their respective areas reminding farmers who are planning to make silage of the need to ensure that they have proper facilities for the disposal of the effluent.
I will give the House a few facts. The number of prosecutions initiated by the regional fisheries boards in respect of pollution offences in 1984 was 63, in 1985 it was 73 and in 1986 it was in the region of 72. Therefore, the regional fisheries boards, the local authorities and the Department of the Environment are doing their utmost in this respect. We have impressed, and will continue to impress, on them the necessity of ensuring that there is no further pollution as far as possible.
I listened with interest to Senator O'Toole who has some evidence of fishing outside the 12-mile limit by foreign vessels. I will be only too pleased to have further details from him at some stage and I hope he will be kind enough to give them to me. I remind the House that for some days past spotter planes have surveyed the west coast. I have no reports back as yet but I am sure that if those boats were there we will receive reports on them in more precise detail than Senator O'Toole may have. Certainly I will be interested in obtaining any details he can give me.
I accept what Senator O'Callaghan says, that it is not normal that the irresponsible minority are tarnishing the reputation of the responsible majority, and I mentioned that earlier. He said he has great sympathy for me because I will be very much in the firing line. I am glad of any sympathy but I do not need it. I think the fishermen have realised in the past few days that I am working in their best interests and it is for that reason that I will do my utmost to stamp out weekend and after season fishing.
The thorny question of monofilament nets — it is a thorny question — is one which is being considered by the salmon review group set up by the former Minister, Deputy Liam Kavanagh. The review group will be reporting to us in a matter of months. We will take the decisions which we feel are right for the country, as they concern the draft net, the drift net, the loop net and the angling associations. The Department of Tourism and Transport will also have an input in this area. Decisions will be taken which will be in the best interests of the country.
Senator Kiely referred to pollution which I have dealt with. He also raised two important matters. First, there was the question of red tide which is very topical at the moment. I will take this opportunity to outline to the House the present position in this regard. The red tide is known as marine algal blooms or acquatic algal blooms. There are many different species of unicellular organisms and these are capable of blooming explosively, given the right conditions of water circulation and temperature increase. Unfortunately, those conditions prevail in the Cork harbour area at the moment. These blooms fall into three main categories, consisting of species which kill fish by gill clogging and asphyxiation or choking and may also have a mildly irritating effect on human skin; a species which, if consumed by humans, could give rise to persistent diarrhoea and will also kill fish by choking and species which, if consumed by humans, could cause paralysis and will also kill fish by choking.
My Department provide services to three sectors, namely, finfish farmers, shellfish farmers and regional health authorities at their request and with their co-operation, their interest being health care while our interest is the protection of the farmers and the securing of their trading credibility. Roinn na Mara have been providing this service since 1984 and indeed lesser services since 1976. It is important to point out that samples are received daily at the fisheries research centre at Abbotstown from all around the coast and our laboratory is equipped to do the necessary tests.
In relation to Cork harbour, it has been confirmed that red tide is in that area. There will be no further taking of shellfish from this area until my Department can confirm to the health board that this bloom is gone. That may take some time. Many of us will have pressure exerted on us to try to ensure that these fish can be taken and can be exported. All we can do in our Department at the moment is to ensure that no licences are issued for exporting purposes. I understand the Southern Health Board are in a position to ban any movement from that area.
We must act responsibly and take all the necessary steps. I pointed out the effects that these species can have on human beings. There is a high risk of PSP in shellfish. Any pressure which may arise will not deter us from taking the necessary steps in the long term interest of the industry and indeed of our exports. I hope that, as was suggested by Senator O'Callaghan, the Department will be in a position to keep the public informed about this matter and the Southern Health Board from time to time.
The question was raised as to the steps which are being taken in relation to the importation of eggs or young fish. Since 1972 the importation of live fish and the eggs or young of each fish has been prohibited except under licence from my Department. In addition to the health status of the fish being imported, it must be certified by the relevant authority in the country of origin on the basis of criteria set down by my Department. Juvenile fish are examined at source by my Department's fish pathologist to establish their disease-free status before importation can be allowed. As an additional precaution, all materials involved in the transporting of imported fish must be destroyed. It is my intention to encourage the relatively new fish farming industry to become fully self-sufficient at all levels of production as soon as possible, thus virtually eliminating the need to import young fish. I assure Senator Kiely, if he has any fears in relation to importation, that all the necessary steps are being taken to ensure that no diseases are transmitted.
I hope I have answered most of the questions raised by the various Senators. In conclusion, I would like to take this further opportunity, at the risk of repeating myself, to appeal in the middle of the salmon season, to all our fishermen to bear in mind that we are dealing with a renewable resource, to respect the law enforcement agencies, to respect the weekend closed season and to bear in mind that fishing during the weekend or after the end of the season will not be tolerated by me, by the Minister or by the Department.