Tourism groups call for end to salmon drift netting

Leading tourism bodies came together today to call on the Government to introduce a strategy to phase out salmon drift netting due to the damage it causes to angling tourism.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) and Euro-Toques (the European community of chefs) voiced concerns that commercial drift net salmon catching activities are eroding fish stocks, and in turn impairing Ireland’s image as a premier angling destination.

This has contributed to the number of salmon angling visitors to Ireland dropping by 50% in the last six years. The visitor numbers have dropped from 54,000 to 27,000 since 1999.

The tourism bodies expressed disappointment that the Minister for the Marine Pat the Cope Gallagher, whilst announcing major fishing reforms last week, failed to address the salmon drift netting issue and called for the immediate development of a strategy to facilitate the ending of drift net fishing.

According to John Power, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, the economic contribution per fish caught made by salmon angling tourism far exceeded that generated by the commercial fishing sector.

The contribution to the economy of one wild salmon caught by an angling tourist is estimated to be €423 compared to €22 for one caught by drift netting.

He stated that the industry is very concerned by the negative international press Ireland was receiving for permitting the practice of drift net fishing to continue here.