Drift-net ban- Irish salmon stocks must be preserved

A three-strong Independent Working Group set up to examine the precipitous decline in salmon stocks suggested a ban on all drift-net fishing of salmon to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey.

The minister, who famously introduced the plastic bag tax, was brave enough to bring the recommendation to Cabinet, which decided to ban all drift-net fishing of salmon from next year. The move is aimed at conserving wild salmon, which has long been prized for its economic and cultural significance. The Salmon of Knowledge enjoys as special position in Irish mythology. It would have been irresponsible to allow the further depletion of our salmon stocks. In approving the minister’s proposal the Government provided funds to alleviate distress among fishermen.

Compensation of €25 million has been allocated for the 800 drift-net fishermen.

This amounts to an average of over €30,000 per person. There is also a further €5m available for a community support scheme to aid the development of communities most affected by the drift-net ban.

The aim will be to help provide alternative employment and economic opportunities for those affected. With the memory of the bitterness of the rod licence dispute of some years ago, the drift- netting decision was a brave one, especially coming so close to the next general election. Political caution has been a characteristic of this government, so the cabinet was undoubtedly convinced that the decision was as inevitable as it was necessary. Within political circles the decision was greeted with a certain degree of resignation.

As hundreds of drift-net-fishermen were already planning to march on Leinster House, it was a piece of breathtaking audacity for the Government to give them the unpalatable news in Dublin. Wild salmon stocks have been declining dramatically and drastic conservation measures were necessary, in the opinion of the expert group.

In addition, the European Commission has been threatening heavy fines for breaches of the EU Habitats Directive, if drift-netting were not ended. It is important, however, that the ultimate decision should be seen to have been clearly in the national interest. Deputy Noel O’Flynn, Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, noted that it was important that the committee should understand how the advisory group came to its recommendations. This should apply even more to the fishermen, because ultimately efforts to halt the alarming decline in salmon stocks should be of even more concern to them.

The recommendations of the expert group will also impact on anglers, who will face curbs. Many of the rivers in the east of the country will be closed for some years in an effort to allow their salmon stocks to recover. These conservation measures are in the interest of society as a whole, and the rest of society must contribute by making real efforts to clean up our rivers.