Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
204 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to return to nylon nets as distinct from monofilament nets for salmon fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21129/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use of monofilament netting for drift net fishing in the salmon fishery was legalised as one of a number of measures, including a reduction in the season, the number of days per week and hours per day for fishing and so on introduced by my Department in 1997 aimed at reducing effort in the fishery.
Since then the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme regulations have been introduced, which, inter alia, limit the total allowable commercial catch, TAC, of salmon for the season for all fishery districts. The TAC has been set on the advice of the National Salmon Commission and the regional fisheries boards’ managers, consistent with the strategy aimed at reaching the scientific advice on precautionary catch limits by 2005.
My Department has not received any proposals from the central or regional fisheries boards' managers to end the use of monofilament nets for salmon fishing. Any proposal for changes in the management of the fishery, including the type of gear permitted, would be considered by my Department if it is supported by scientific advice that the fishing gear used is in any way adversely effecting the conservation of stocks, evidence that all the relevant stakeholders and interested parties were consulted and had an opportunity to have their views taken into account on the matter, and the endorsement of the National Salmon Commission.
