Calls for salmon fishery to be reopened

A DECISION on whether to reopen a controversial draft net salmon fishery in Co Kerry is due to be made in the coming weeks.

As part of a scientific study overseen by the local fisheries board, commercial draft netting of wild Atlantic salmon was allowed to resume last June off Cromane in Castlemaine Harbour.

A catch limit of just over 800 salmon was allowed to be taken by 11 boats until the end of August.

Independent Kerry South TD Tom Fleming has now called on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte to reopen the fishery on a pilot basis, as was the case last year.

He also called on the minister to make the results of the study known as soon as possible.

Mr Rabbitte said Inland Fisheries Ireland was due to report to him on the result of the pilot project early this month.

The minister said he intended to publish the report and recommendations after due consideration.

The study involves genetic analysis of local salmon stocks and aims to determine the proportion of salmon entering the harbour from the rivers Maine and Laune and their tributaries.

The study also looks at the possibility of commercial fishing resuming in years to come.

Last year, the project had the support of local anglers who claimed the increase in salmon poaching was a far greater threat to wild salmon stocks than draft netting.

Some conservationists, however, were strongly opposed to the move, claming it would lead to a further decimation of scarce salmon stocks.

Mr Fleming, meanwhile, has also called on Marine Minister Simon Coveney to reopen the Cromane mussel fishery this month.

“What had happened in recent years in Cromane should never be allowed happen again,” he said.

“When the mussel fishery was reopened, the mussel seed had been destroyed by predators such as crab and starfish,” he added.

Mr Fleming said Mr Coveney’s predecessor had given a commitment to reopen the mussel fishery this month.

Mr Coveney said the statutory consultation process on the fishery would soon be completed and he hoped to make a decision this month.