Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2005
195 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to extend compensation payments to sea fishing families displaced or likely to be displaced arising from EU or other conservation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14809/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra198 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to make compensatory payments to families dependent on sea fishing in view of the need to introduce conservation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14812/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 198 together.
There is no specific funding mechanism available to the Department to alleviate financial hardship in the manner suggested. EU conservation measures are designed and implemented to maintain the viability of commercial fish stocks into the future and thus to protect the livelihoods of families dependent on fishing. The Government's long-term strategy for the sustainable development of the fishing industry shares these objectives. As part of this strategy, I announced a number of new measures last week, including the introduction of a new decommissioning scheme to remove excess capacity from the whitefish fleet, and a review of fleet structure and available fishing opportunities in the whitefish sector. This approach is the best way to protect livelihoods in fishing dependent coastal communities.
196 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to compensate salmon fishermen in view of likely necessary conservation proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14810/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra199 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to make payments to families dependent on salmon fishing; if his attention has been drawn to the similar payment systems or proposed in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14813/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has in mind realistic compensation proposals for driftnet fishermen with a view to replacement of income foregone due to necessary conservation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14815/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 196, 199 and 201 together.
I have no plans to provide compensation for salmon fishermen arising from necessary reductions in total allowable catch required to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks. Since 2002 the Government has promoted the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling to achieve catch reductions as the best instrument available to achieve the restoration of salmon stocks. The overriding objective of the Government is to preserve the salmon resource in its own right and for the coastal and rural communities that it helps to support. The economic goals for a sustainable commercial salmon fishery, based on quality and value rather than volume, and the development of salmon angling as an important tourism product are both fully compatible with the Government's primary objective.
A quality and value strategy consists of improving how fish are handled, post catching, to ensure that the maximum price per fish is obtained. This approach maintains or increases the overall income derived from the fishery even when the total catch is reduced. I am advised that Bord Iascaigh Mhara is working, with some success, to yield an improvement in the price of salmon through the Irish wild salmon quality and marketing programme.
In so far as the compensation payment schemes adopted in other jurisdictions, I have no plans to introduce proposals to purchase commercial drift net salmon fishing licences. The Government has consistently ruled out buy-out as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks. Moreover, no convincing case has been advanced as to the public good that would be acquired by the State in the context of a publicly funded buy-out.
As I have previously indicated to the House, I am prepared to keep the matter under review. I would be open to any relevant proposals presented to me whereby stakeholders benefiting from any reduction in commercial catch would identify themselves and indicate a willingness to fund any compensation that might arise.
