Salmon drift net review
Deputy Collins argued that inshore fishermen were unfairly blamed for salmon stock declines and asked about the promised review of the 2007 drift net ban. The Tánaiste said drift net fishing did affect stocks and a reversal of the ban was very unlikely; the Deputy reiterated that he meant the review.
In 2007, a ban on inshore fishermen using salmon drift nets was put in place. It was meant to be reviewed after seven years. This has led to inshore fishermen not being able to fish for salmon and is leading to huge losses for local rural communities. It has now been proven that inshore fishermen were not to blame for the loss of salmon stocks as stocks are still dropping. This is due in a large way to rivers not being looked after. Spawning pools are overgrown by trees. It is even suggested that cutting trees near rivers leads to nutrients going into the water, which has led to a loss of stocks. All in all, proper research needs to be done immediately. While this research is ongoing to find the real facts as to who is to blame for the loss of salmon stocks I ask the Minister to lift immediately the ban on inshore fishermen using salmon drift nets.
Comment on this
This is an area in which I have a lot of personal interest. I do not think it is credible to say that drift net fishing for salmon did not have an impact on salmon stocks. There are, of course, other issues that need to be investigated fully by the State, but it is very unlikely we will see a reversal of the drift net ban.
Comment on this
I asked about the review which was to take place after seven years.