Salmon net licence closing dates
Farrelly sought the closing dates for salmon net licences and asked whether dragnet fishermen normally receive an extra two weeks; Wilson said extensions are considered case by case and are not guaranteed. Deasy questioned whether different net types had been given the same closing date this year, but the exchange ended amid disagreement over the tabular reply, without a substantive answer.
asked the Minister for the Marine the closing date(s) this year for the various salmon net licences; and if there is normally an extra two weeks for fishermen with dragnet licences.
Comment on this
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Requests for extensions to the commercial netting seasons for salmon are considered on their merits having regard to the circumstances prevailing in the river(s) concerned. There is no guarantee that such extensions will be granted nor are such extensions normally available for any particular group of netsmen.
Comment on this
There may be a tabular statement but the question did not ask for a reply in the form of a tabular statement. Normally there is a differentiation between the closing dates for different types of salmon licences, be it drift net, draft net, drag net or snap net. It was brought to my notice that this year there was no differentiation, that fishermen who use draft nets, that is up-river fishermen, were told that they would have to close down and stop fishing at the same time as drift net fishermen, be it at sea or in the outer part of estuaries. I ask the Minister if he sanctioned this course of action by the fishery boards, in particular by the Southern Fishery Board. Does he realise that there have been different closing dates?
Comment on this
Normally, Deputies should await the availability of a tabular statement. It is inconceivable that one can ask reasonably intelligent questions on a statement that is not available.
Comment on this
It is inconceivable the Minister should give a reply in the form of a tabular statement to a question which is of a very general nature——
Comment on this
The Deputy is aware that various salmon net licences are mentioned in the question, and it is on that basis the question was answered.