Fishermen threaten court action over drift-nets

A group of fishermen is threatening to take the Government to court over plans to cut the number of people allowed to fish for salmon in the country’s waters.

They said efforts to outlaw drift-net fishing would end a historic tradition which has been passed from generation to generation in small coastal villages.

Ireland is one of the only places in Europe which still permits the practice - which involves drifting a salmon net through the water.

The Government has been considering reducing the number of licences issued for the practice in a bid to save salmon stocks.

Those opposed to the practice have been lobbying intensely to have it banned.

But Michael Connors, chairman of the Estuary Fishermen’s Association, accused the Department of the Marine of trying to “hound” his profession.

He said drift-netting did not have the significant impact many people claimed it had on salmon stocks.

“It’s absolutely disgusting the way they are carrying on,” he said, speaking on the first day of the new drift-netting season.

“Estuary fishermen never did any harm to stocks.

“By doing this they are trying to hound the traditional fishermen.

“Myself and my three brothers all have salmon licences, so did my father and his brothers, and my grandfather and his brothers.

“It’s something that is in our heritage.

“It’s not about fishing, it’s about something our fathers and their fathers have been doing for many generations.”

“We will take the department to court for discriminating against traditional fishermen,” said Mr Connors, of East Passage in Co Waterford.

“We have been in touch with a barrister and we are waiting until the end of the season to see what the outcome will be.”

A report by the Central Fisheries Board, the body responsible for inland and estuary fishing, said last week that drift-netting for salmon should be allowed to continue. But the board also said the number of fishermen and their catches should be reduced.