Committee seeks temporary ban on driftnet salmon fishing

The Oireachtas marine committee has called for a temporary ban on driftnet salmon fishing in order to protect future stocks of the species.

In a report published today, the committee said a three-year ban should be introduced, with fishermen compensated for loss of earnings.

Driftnet fishing has been blamed for a massive decline in salmon stocks across northern Europe and the practice is currently banned in most other countries along Europe's Atlantic coast.

Irish anglers have been seeking a similar ban for several years, saying the angling industry is on the verge of collapse because most salmon are caught before they ever reach the rivers.