Drift Nets

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EU Commission demands further action by Ireland to protect wild salmon

Written By: Niall Greene
On Date: 4/7/2006

A statement issued on 3 July the European Commission has announced that it has “requested Ireland to take further steps to ensure that, from next year onwards, its wild salmon fishery fully respects a key EU nature conservation law....The Commission is asking Ireland to fully apply the Habitats Directive when authorising drift net fishing on an annual basis”. Commenting on the announcement Niall Greene, chair of Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now, said that “The EU Commission’s statement further emphasises the need to ensure that 2006 is the last year of drift netting for salmon in Ireland. The Govenrment’s statements of 24 March committing the Government to fully adhering to the scientific advice in 2007 has been reinforced by the demands of the EU. We must now look to the Independent Salmon Group to design a fair scheme of compensation for those exiting the industry which will enable an orderly end to be brought to drift netting in Ireland at the conclusion of the current season on 31 July”.
For further information contact: Niall Greene 086 826 9222

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EU Commission issues red card

Written By: Noel Carr
On Date: 4/7/2006

To Taoiseach Bertie Ahern over Ireland's Driftnets
The Chairman of the Irish Salmon Anglers - FISSTA (Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers) Mr. Edward Power, welcomed the EU Commission's press statement that issued a "Reasoned Opinion" (final written warning) in Brussells today.
Mr Power stated that "FISSTA welcomes this final warning statement from EU seeking immediate action NOW. It is in sharp response to the Minsiter's decision to defer the implementation of the Standing Scientific Advice last March 21st when over 90,000 of a salmon quota was set for this 2006 season. It now appears that the international salmon community and the EU have had enough procrastination and refuse any longer to be ignored by a Government who has avoided any commitment to conserve the wild Atlantic salmon". The Independent Salmon Committee under the Chairmanship of Padraic White must recognise and interpret the implications of this very serious warning in their action report to the Government to be published by the end of next month. (August end) FISSTA acknowledge the vital assistance and steady pressure from Brian Marshall and the Wessex Salmon & Rivers Trust who lodged the formal complaints with the EU Environment Commission against the then Marine Minister Frank Fahey TD as the licensing authority for the nets.

Chairman: EDWARD POWER, Mountain Rd, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Tel: 052 / 21958

Ireland: Commission seeks further action to protect wild salmon
Reference: IP/06/906 Date: 03/07/2006
Brussels, 3 July 2006
Ireland: Commission seeks further action to protect wild salmon
The European Commission has requested Ireland to take further steps to ensure that, from next year onwards, its wild salmon fishery fully respects a key EU nature conservation law. The law in question is the EU’s Habitats Directive which, amongst other things, protects the wild Atlantic salmon and the major freshwaters where it spawns. At present Ireland allows the use of drift nets at sea which catch high numbers of salmon bound for certain spawning rivers where salmon numbers are low. The Commission is asking Ireland to fully apply the Habitats Directive when authorising drift net fishery on an annual basis. At the same time, two other, unrelated, infringement cases against Ireland have been closed by the Commission following the provision of new information by the Irish authorities. These cases concern the protection of the ozone layer and waste management of end of life vehicles.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "The Commission and the Irish authorities fully agree that wild salmon is an important resource. Following constructive discussions with Ireland in 2005 and earlier this year, we are asking the authorities to take additional steps to protect salmon stocks in 2007 and beyond.”

Wild salmon

The EU Habitats Directive[1] protects certain habitats and species, including the wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. The salmon spawns in freshwaters in Ireland, the United Kingdom and a number of other European countries before migrating to the North Atlantic to feed and develop. Every year, mature salmon make a return migration to their natal rivers and streams to spawn. On the return route along the Irish coast, drift-nets are used by fishermen in the summer. The drift net fishery, which is authorised on an annual basis, exploits a mix of salmon stocks bound for different river systems, including those where populations have fallen to low levels.

Under the Directive, the annual authorisation must be subject to a prior scientific assessment. Authorisation of the fishery is possible only where the assessment confirms that no negative effects will arise or where, alternatively, the conditions for an exception or derogation are met. The 2006 assessment showed negative effects, but drift-netting was nevertheless authorised by the Irish authorities.

The Commission considers it very important that compliance is achieved in 2007 and beyond. Following discussions with the Irish authorities, the Commission is encouraged by Ireland's commitment to bring decisions on the fishery into line with scientific advice from next year onwards.

However, the Commission is asking for further assurances that the relevant national implementing legislation will be applied in the authorisation process, and that any decisions on exploitation of salmon stocks will be fully consistent with the Habitats Directive's requirements. It has therefore sent Ireland a final written warning.

The Commission has also sent Ireland a final written warning in a wider case concerning the Habitats Directive. This is the subject of a separate press release (see IP/06/907).

Cases resolved

Protection of the ozone layer: The Commission has decided to close a case concerning non-compliance with a judgement delivered by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in October 2004.[2] The judgement condemned Ireland for failing to provide reports to the Commission on how it is implementing a number of provisions[3] of the EU’s Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer[4] and for failing to ensure that those who handle ozone-depleting substances are properly qualified. This regulation aims to limit damage to the ozone layer that shields the earth from harmful solar rays. Earlier this year, Ireland adopted the necessary report and has also adopted legislation on qualifications.

End-of-life vehicles: The Commission has also decided to close a case concerning non-compliance with another judgement delivered by the ECJ in October 2004[5]. This condemned Ireland for failing to adopt and transmit legislation to give effect to the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive[6], which aims to reduce waste arising from motor vehicles that are no longer in use. Ireland has recently sent its legislation to the Commission.

Legal Process

Article 226 of the Treaty gives the Commission powers to take legal action against a Member State that is not respecting its obligations.

If the Commission considers that there may be an infringement of EU law that warrants the opening of an infringement procedure, it addresses a "Letter of Formal Notice" (first written warning) to the Member State concerned, requesting it to submit its observations by a specified date, usually two months.

In the light of the reply or absence of a reply from the Member State concerned, the Commission may decide to address a "Reasoned Opinion" (final written warning) to the Member State. This clearly and definitively sets out the reasons why it considers there to have been an infringement of EU law and calls upon the Member State to comply within a specified period, normally two months.

If the Member State fails to comply with the Reasoned Opinion, the Commission may decide to bring the case before the European Court of Justice. Where the Court of Justice finds that the Treaty has been infringed, the offending Member State is required to take the measures necessary to conform.
For current statistics on infringements in general see:

europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/droit_com/index_en.htm#infractions
For rulings by the European Court of Justice see:

curia.eu.int/en/content/juris/index.htm


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] Directive 92/43

[2] Case C-406/03

[3] The provisions that figure in the ECJ ruling concern systems for promoting the recovery of used ozone-depleting substances and the establishment of minimum qualification requirements for technical personnel. Ireland was also judged to have failed to take all precautionary measures practicable to prevent and minimise leakages of methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance used for fumigation.
WESSEX SALMON AND RIVERS TRUST

Registered Charity No: 1051068

www.wsrt.org.uk
EU RED CARD FOR IRISH SALMON NETS
BRUSSELS ISSUES A FINAL WARNING TO THE IRISH GOVERNMENT

European Commission act on Wessex Salmon’s complaint.
The Irish Government, which allows the exploitation of protected UK salmon stocks by their west coast salmon drift net fishery, is infringing the European Habitats Directive. Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust (WSRT) complained to the EU Environment Commission. This complaint was upheld and a warning was issued, by the EU to Ireland, in July 2005. Ireland responded with promises of full compliance with the Directive. These promises were broken when Marine Minister John Browne TD, in March of this year, licensed the killing of over 90,000 fish by this indiscriminate netting

The salmon drift net industry, both licensed and illegal, that operates along Ireland’s western and southern coasts is indiscriminate. It kills not only Irish salmon, but protected fish from rivers in the South and West of England, Wales, France Spain and Germany. These rivers are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) by the European Habitats Directive. Salmon are the primary reason for that highest level of EU protection. The Environment Agency reports that of the 14 English and Welsh SAC rivers only one has enough salmon spawning. The rivers Avon, Itchen and Test are the worst affected. The Irish nets are the only exploitation of salmon from those rivers.

Wessex Salmon also support the long term campaigning by Irish, English and International NGO’s to close the Fishery.

In 2002, and again in 2004, Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust, lodged formal complaints, with the EU Environment Commission, against the Irish Government as the licensing authority for the nets. It cites four infringements of the Directive, The Wye and Usk foundation lodged a similar complaint. Most importantly in 2004, eight Irish salmon river interests and, in the UK, The South West Rivers Association also lodged parallel complaints

After examination by all of the twenty-five EU Commissioners the WSRT complaint was upheld and, in July 2005, a first warning of proceedings was issued to the Irish Government.

The Irish Government has responded to the EU warning, promising compliance but have reneged on that promise.

Brian Marshall, Chairman of Wessex Salmon, said.

“There is strong joint English and Irish scientific evidence that proves these nets have a serious impact upon the recovery of our threatened salmon stocks. We have not killed a single salmon on our river for over ten years. Why should Ireland kill thousands. Clearly the ending of netting, which must now be inevitable, will make a significant addition to our returning spawning stocks.

Notes for Editors.:

A copy of the original complaint, the Irish first response and other background material can be seen on www.wsrt.org.uk/news/irishnets.html

Contacts Below

Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust.

Brian Marshall: Chairman.

Tel;+(0)1425 485105

Mobile:[phone]

E mail: [e-mail]

Web site: www.wsrt.org.uk



Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers

Secretary: NOEL CARR,

Tel / Fax: [phone]

Mobile: +(0)87235 2001

E mail: [e-mail]

Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now

Director: Niall Greene

Tel: . [phone]

Mobile: [phone] (0)826 9222

E mail: [e-mail]

Website: www.stopnow.ie

North Atlantic Salmon Fund
Chairman: Orri Vigfusson
Skipholti 35
105 Reykjavik
Iceland
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E Mail: [e-mail]

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An End to Drift Netting in 2006.

Written By: Ian Powell
On Date: 10/7/2006

It looks as if we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel with regard to drift netting!The Irish Government appears to have fully committed to ending the drift net fishery and the EU is pressurising them to do so as well.
In March the Minister for the Marine – John Browne – announced the Government’s commitment to fully adhere to the scientific advice provided for the management of the wild salmon fishery in 2007.
He has set up an Expert Working Group to propose the compensation deal for the commercial fishermen.

The limited terms of reference given to the three man Expert Working Group make it clear that the Government accepts, on the advice of the National Salmon Commission, that the commitment to align with the scientific advice from 2007 means the end of mixed stock/drift net fishing for salmon with the 2006 season and the adoption of a single stock, precautionary approach to the future management of salmon.

The Expert Working Group have been asked to report by the end of August on “the options available to address any financial hardship arising for individuals involved in commercial salmon fishing from full compliance with the scientific advice by 2007”. They have not been asked to readdress the issue of whether mixed stock/drift net fishing should end.

The commitment was re-iterated at the annual meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization held in Saariselka, Finland on Thursday, 8 June.

The head of the EU delegation, Mr. Alan Gray told the that “Ireland has given a firm commitment to meet scientific advice in 2007 which means that fisheries will only take place in estuaries and rivers
on stocks which have been shown to be above their conservation limit”
The statement was included in the official record of the meeting.

The European Commission has also given a final written warning to the Irish Government to take further steps to ensure that, from next year onwards, its wild salmon fishery fully respects a key EU nature conservation law. The law in question is the EU s Habitats Directive which, amongst other things, protects the wild Atlantic salmon and the major freshwaters where it spawns. At present Ireland allows the use of drift nets at sea which catch high numbers of salmon bound for certain spawning rivers where salmon numbers are low. The Commission is asking Ireland to fully apply the Habitats Directive when authorising drift net fishery on an annual basis.

For more information on this, look at the Newspage on

www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/News/news06-06-08.htm

where you will find the Press Releases from the relevant bodies together with the Stop Now Press Releases in response. Also included is the Stop Now presentation the new advisory body on compensation.

Keep up to date with the latest news on this front & support the campaign to end the nets by visiting the Dtp Now website on www.stopnow.ie

The 2006 Season
This year we had a superb spring run, and the table below shows the number of salmon taken in the prime early months.

The next 2 columns then compare these to the average number of fish taken by month over the 11 year period from 1990 to 2000, and then for the post-Foot & Mouth (2001) 4 year period from 2002 to 2005.

Obviously, the number of fish caught is directly related to the number of people fishing.
With the Foot & Mouth disease in 2001, the fishery was closed until early May, and the number of people fishing has been significantly lower in the spring for the period 2002 to 2005.
The last 2 columns in the table show the % difference in number of tourist angler rods for this year compared again to the 11 year period from 1990 to 2000, and then for the post-Foot & Mouth (2001) 4 year period from 2002 to 2005.


The March & April catch is significantly higher than the period 1990-2000 even although the rod effort is lower. Compared to 2002-5, the rod effort has increased, but the catch increase is very much greater.
This shows the significant improvement in the spring run in the last few years.

May is also showing some improvement, as although the catch is 11% lower than 1990-2000, the rod effort fell by 38%. Compared to 2002-5 there was a significant improvement in spite of slightly lower rod effort.

The June figures show the continuing demise of the grilse run. The catches are down compared to both periods, but the rod effort is also comparably lower.

This shows the highly detrimental effect of the drift netting for which the legal season is June/July. Thankfully the net season closes in a couple of weeks - in all probability for good – which should see a significant improvement in the June/July catches in the coming years.

Early Season Fishing Facts for 2006.

Month
2006

Salmon

Catch
Salmon Catch Number

as % difference compared to
Fishing Effort (Tourist Rod Days)
as % difference compared to:

to 11 year Average

for 1990 to 2000
to 4 year Average

for 2002 - 2005
to 11 year Average

for 1990 to 2000
to 4 year Average

for 2002 - 2005

March
17
+ 30
+119
- 16
+ 17

April
38
+ 130
+253
- 17
+ 47

May
39
- 11
+ 42
- 38
- 6

June
50
- 71
- 40
- 55
- 49
The Current Situation
A fall in water temperature in the last week from 16ºC to 12ºC has resulted in a reasonable number of both grilse & summer salmon running the river at the moment, even although the river is approaching summer level.
There are large numbers of fish building up in the upper tidal reaches and waiting outside the mouth of the river in Youghal Bay waiting for a rise in the river for them to run.

Saturday, July 8 - we had quite heavy rain & stormy weather, which should help fish to move in unimpeded. If this is the case, the prospects for the coming weeks will be excellent. Perhaps we can look forward to similar fishing to that which we enjoyed in 2004, when heavy rain in early August started the autumn run & 850 salmon were taken in the last 7 weeks of the season.

On Sunday, July 9 – the river has risen 4cm. The Best Fish of the Season on Fly was landed by Richard Cooper from N. Ireland on Beat 4 - Balllinaroone. It took a #10 Thunder & Lightning on a single-handed rod & was not only his first ever on fly but also his largest salmon. It was a fish that had been in the river a few weeks – proving that fish are now starting to hold in the lower beats. Colm Hackett from Clonmel also caught his first salmon the same day – a 10 pounder on spinner from Beat 17 – Carrig.


There is plenty of availability of accommodation and fishing for the rest of the month & into August. September is getting very booked up.
Best Regards & Tight Lines
Ian Powell
Blackwater Lodge Hotel & Salmon Fishery
(Voted Best Fishing Hotel 2005 by the readers of the UK magazine Today's Flyfisher!)
Upper Ballyduff
Co. Waterford
Ireland
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Tel: [phone] From UK: 0871 474 0135 (10p/min any time!)
Fax: [phone] From UK: 0871 474 0136 (10p/min any time!)
Mobile: [phone]

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FISSTA letter to Editor Irish Times: salmon drift-nets

Written By: Noel Carr
On Date: 3/8/2006

It is indeed interesting to read of the scheme proposed by Noel Wilkins (29th July Irish Times Opinion) on how anglers should pay for the cost to compensate commercial salmon netsmen not to kill anymore salmon - as if there were any more left to kill. Anglers are the main contributors to the survival of the salmon as they have managed and enhanced the spawning habitat under ever increasing difficulties to date.
The causes for the decline are numerous, ranging from pollution to the climatic. There is however, one predominant reason caused by the policy of this Government, mixed stock fisheries or driftnetting, as outlined in the Standing Scientific Report to the National Salmon Commission last January. Angling is a sustainable sporting practice as it takes a miniscule amount of salmon compared to a commercial netting industry that takes an unsustainable amount (over 90%) of the national salmon catch.

Yet, Mr. Wilkins proposes that anglers, being the victims, should pay the commercial netsmen under a statutory scheme for the recovery of salmon. Minister Noel Dempsey's office has already signed the order to ban the catching of salmon on angling waters in over half of our fishery districts from next month and his interference with our angling rules will deter tourist anglers from ever returning to our rivers. Would the Ryder cup would be played here if the state banned 'putting' or 'driving' on Irish golf courses? Such is the hostility to our sport and angling tourism industry that it now appears our 15 year intensive campaign to save our salmon will be met with so many restrictions to ruin angling in order to appease the those powerful few in the commercial nets sector who have fished out our resource. It is evident that the good Professor of Zoology has not yet changed the very opinion which prompted him to tender his resignation as Chairman of the first National Salmon Commission in 2001.

Nothing has changed since then, except the ever decreasing numbers and average weight of our salmon. Our solution to repair this damage, remains the same today. Only a state facilitated buyout of these commercial netting licenses under the brokerage of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund will return our stocks to abundance and protect our wonderful salmon for future generations.
Yours sincerely,
Noel Carr.
Secretary of the Federation of Irish Salmon and Seatrout Anglers,
Teelin Rd, Carrick, Co Donegal.
074 9730300 email:
[e-mail]

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Rod anglers should not monopolise salmon !

Written By: Noel Wilkins
On Date: 13/8/2006

Noel Wilkins outlines a scheme to allow the angler to continue to enjoy his hobby, but at a cost that reflects the value of wild salmon and recognises the cost of any buy-out of commercial fishing A ban on the commercial salmon net fisheries is under consideration by a small expert group. Some think that the commercial net fisheries may soon be terminated and they expect that this will be beneficial to the salmon stock and ultimately to the public. But will it?
Complete closure of the commercial net fisheries could have the double effect of possibly enhancing the spawning stock size (hopefully, but this is not scientifically certain) and of granting the sole right of capturing salmon to the rod anglers. Since the sale of rod-caught salmon is currently illegal, this means that there would no longer be wild salmon available for sale to the public or to the restaurant trade. In effect, an important public national resource - the wild salmon - would be handed over totally to the salmon anglers and their families.
Since the cost of managing, monitoring and researching this important resource is funded through taxation, is this transfer of public rights to a small group really in the national interest? Even today there is a thriving illegal sale of rod-caught wild salmon. Is it not likely that this "trade" will simply increase as net-caught wild salmon disappear and rod-caught fish are the only wild salmon available? And how exactly is the salmon resource helped by closing a public, well-regulated, legal, commercial fishery that gives a livelihood to coastal fishermen and replacing it with an amateur, illegal trade in rod-caught salmon? Regulation of large numbers of anglers spread over many miles of rivers is notoriously difficult, not to mention the control of poaching in inland waters. Most anglers are legal and fair-minded, but who can control the unscrupulous?
It cannot be denied that there exists a demand not only for sport angling but also for "wild" salmon to be available to the public and to the restaurant business. Both are important to the economy, especially in rural areas; both are legitimate and natural expectations in a country as "green" as Ireland.
We should, as far as is consistent with the sustainability of the salmon, try to make it possible to enjoy both. So, if the resource is to be given over entirely to the anglers, and bona-fide commercial net fishermen are to face another cut in their livelihood, it seems only fair that adequate steps be taken to ensure that the wider public interest is protected in some way. In that event, a scheme along the following lines, modified from the existing carcass tag regulations, could ensure that the angling community contributes in a realistic, fair and transparent way to the very real cost of managing the resource, while ensuring some availability of wild salmon to those interested in consuming them:
Salmon rod angling licences will be of one kind only - national, all-area, all-season licences;
each licence will cost €150 (index-linked) and will have one carcass tag provided with it. That tag will be colour-coded so that any salmon carrying the tag will not be saleable;
holders of a current angling licence may purchase further tags at €100 each (index linked). These tags will be colour-coded so that any salmon carrying one of these tags will be saleable;
no person may fish for salmon unless he (she) is the holder of a current licence and has on their person at the time of angling an unused "non-sale" or "saleable" tag.
all salmon captured by rod must be carcass-tagged immediately with one or other kind of tag. Even if the angler chooses not to sell a salmon, it must be tagged with a "saleable" tag if he (she) has no "non-sale" tag.
Local regulations may specify those rivers that are so threatened that no "saleable" tags may be used when fishing them and those others, more healthy, where saleable tags will be permitted. On the former rivers, only "non-sale" tags will suffice to meet the requirement that the angler have a licence and tag on his (her) person.
Such a scheme allows the angler to continue to enjoy his hobby, but at a cost that better reflects the value of wild salmon at this time and that also recognises the cost to the State of any buy-out of commercial fishing. It allows for the sale of rod-caught salmon by anglers or by fishery owners giving some facility for wild salmon to be made available to the public (although at a realistically high price). It is not at all scientifically certain that a complete ban on net fishing is either wise or necessary. If it is, though, then those who benefit exclusively from the ban must surely be prepared to shoulder a realistic part of the costs of sustaining the diminishing resource. Noel Wilkins is former professor of zoology at NUI Galway, and first chair of the National Salmon Commission

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Motion of No Confidence in Chairman Joey Murrin

Written By: Noel Carr
On Date: 12/9/2006

If anyone was wondering why our salmon numbers are still falling, they only had to listen to the comments by Chairman of the National Salmon Commission, Mr Joey Murrin on Tom Mac Sweeneys Seascapes Radio programme of July 13th 2006 in which he said: “Well this is a massive challenge. A massive challenge for Govt and a massive challenge for the industry and the three man group chaired by Dr Noel Cawley. I think it is important Tom, to state the background to this The Common Fisheries Policy as agreed and constituted put fishermen all over Europe, outside the law. People call them criminals, but they are not criminals and if they are, it is the CFP that made them that way. Let us explain it simply for the general public out there. When the CFP was agreed there was a large cake on the table which every country was given a slice of and we got a very very small slice, and I will state and I have no bother stating and I know for a fact .. that when those slices were given out to every country to fish, the fish weren’t in the water. There were no scientific evidence to say that the fish were there to allow fish back to each country to fish what they were allowed to fish and this is where the problem started. Fishermen then had to over fish which damaged the stocks – unfortunately we got a very very small slice of that cake and this is part of the problem where we are today.

I was paid for years for bending the rules and I apologise for that and I am part of the problem or the cause of the problem as anybody else but that is over and from my point of view the truth has to be told now, because if there is any hope of bringing the industry back from the brink we got to face up to the realities of it and I am confident the fishing industry will rise to that challenge and hopefully the Government will rise to that challenge as well. But I think the time for telling the truth and not bending the truth is here and that is our only hope. So, I would have hope for the Strategy Group but I would appeal to fishermen’s organisations out there not to be afraid to face the challenges because if we are to succeed we have to do that.”


Mr Murrin's admission in being part of the problem confirms without doubt his key role in our dwindling stocks as had previously been questioned by so many in the past. Last year he told The Irish Times "If the Government has EUR80 million to spare, hospital beds and the health service represent a much greater priority for such expenditure" and went on to welcome a statement from the Minister of State for the Marine, Mr Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher, that there would be no buyout during the lifetime of this Government.

Anyone who knows and has observed Joey Murrin over the years has heard his soundbytes promoting sustainabilty and conservation of stocks, but his actions and support for such government policy of unsustainability proves once again why our fishing industry are now paying the high costs of this greed.

As Chair of the National Salmon Commission the salmon anglers of this country are entitled to fair and equal treatment, without his blatant anti salmon conservation comments similar to those which Marine Ministers Fahey, Ahern, Dempsey, Gallagher and now John Browne TD have so often expressed in the past. The sooner Mr Murrin realises that the anglers of this country are the victims and not the cause of this problem, then the sooner we are likely to see some prorgress in the protection of the wild Atlantic salmon.

In expressing such views, Mr Murrin has failed in his job and can no longer credibly chair the NSC impartially and should also acknowledge this situation with his other admisssions by resinging immediately. Apologies such as Mr. Murrin's do not have any credibility without the action of resignation, otherwise, we can only expect much, much more of the same.
Yours sincerely,
Noel Carr.
National Salmon Commission member and Secretary of Federation of Irish Salmon and Seatrout Anglers.
There will be a meeting of the National Salmon Commission on Wednesday, 27th September in the Marine Institute headquarters in Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway. Further details to follow.
The chairman invites items for the agenda.
Regards,
Fiona
Dr. Fiona Grant,
National Protection/Conservation Coordinator,
Central Fisheries Board,
Swords Business Campus,
Balheary Road,
Swords,
Co. Dublin.
Email: [e-mail]
Switchboard: [phone]
Direct line: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

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Dail Parliamentary Question on 19 October about Drift Netting

Written By: Niall Greene
On Date: 24/10/2006

The exchange in the Dail on 19 October following a PQ tabled by Deputy Sean Ryan (Lab, Dublin North) is set out below. The Minister of States responses are, on the whole, encouraging.It is now expected that the Government will consider the report of the Independent Salmon Group (aka Three Wise Men) on 24 October and that it will be published on 25th. However, it is not unusual for the consideration of reports to slip down the agenda of Government meetings under pressure of other business.

Niall Greene

Chair

Stop Now
Fisheries Protection.

7. Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the three-person expert group on salmon will conclude and publish its report; if he will follow its advice and the decision of the National Salmon Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33418/06]

Mr. Browne: I received the report of the independent group to which the Deputy referred earlier this week and it is to be presented to Government for its consideration shortly. Until such time as the report is presented to Government, I am not in a position to comment on its recommendations or implementation. The question of publication of the report is a matter for the Government, the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and myself.

Given the steps involved in putting in place an appropriate regime to take effect from January 2007, including, for example, public consultation about any change to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme regulations, decisions about the report must be taken quickly.

As the Deputy is aware, I have undertaken to follow the recommendations of the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission to fully align the management of the fishery with its scientific advice for 2007. I established the independent group, to which the Deputy referred, earlier this year to examine the implications for the commercial sector in 2007 and beyond arising from this alignment. The group was expected to make recommendations on the options available to address any financial hardship arising for individuals involved in commercial salmon fishing.

I expect that the National Salmon Commission, having considered the advice of the standing scientific committee and the fishery managers, and in the context of the report of the independent group, to bring forward in accordance with its terms of reference advice on measures for management of the wild salmon fishery in 2007. The National Salmon Commission is aware of the importance of my receiving its advice at the earliest possible date. I understand it has a number of meetings scheduled over the coming weeks. I expect to receive its advice in sufficient time for the publication of the necessary draft regulations governing the 2007 wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme. There will be a period for public consultation prior to enactment before the start of the 2007 season.

Mr. Broughan: Will the Minister of State indicate if the report will be published openly or will it turn into a Deloitte & Touche affair, so to speak, whereby it will not be published for months and then eventually published in an underhand way?

The Minister of State mentioned addressing financial hardship for individuals in his reply and we know the advice of the National Salmon Commission given last year. Members of the public are generally aware of the impact of the continued multi-stock fishing on the nation’s reputation. Has the Minister of State considered any detailed measures or costings in regard to addressing financial hardship for individuals? Would it be of the order of the previous scheme in regard to those fishing for white fish in the south east, or would it be much more narrowly based?

The EU habitats legislation was considered yesterday at the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. How will that legislation impact on the Minister of State’s decision?

Mr. Browne: The report will be eventually published. The report and the recommendations I put forward to Government in respect of the three wise men, as they are known, were accepted, set up and approved by Government. At that time I stated that this report would be presented to the Government following consideration by me, the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey and our Department. We expect to do that as quickly as possible. Once the Government has made a decision on it, the report will be published.

Mr. Perry: With regard to the EU habitats directive of which we are in breach, are the Minister of State’s hands not very much tied with regard to the new stipulation, bearing in mind that the scientific recommendations to date have been ignored by the Government? With regard to the recommendations by the scientists and the National Salmon Commission, is the Minister of State saying that he will act entirely on the scientific recommendations to Government?

Mr. Browne: The Government is committed to accepting the scientific advice for 2007. As agreed by Members on all sides of the House, we set up the strategy group to examine the implications of that. We intend to accept the scientific advice for 2007. We have received the report from the three people involved. It will go to Government shortly and we will make decisions accordingly.

Mr. Perry: The inland fisheries report was commissioned by Farrell Grant Sparks and following its completion, a year and a half elapsed before it was published. Will there be a similar delay in the publication of this report? In the case of the previous report, a situation similar to this one prevailed and the report was presented to Cabinet but it was not published for a further 18 months. Is the Minister of State saying that by mid-November, which is a critical time for the putting forward of recommendations for 2007, that this report will be discussed by the Cabinet and a decision made on it recommendations?

Mr. Broughan: As an addendum to that question, the Minister of State seems to be dodging the question of the costings. Will he and the Minister make any recommendations to the Minister for Finance arising from the report, given that they have accepted the advice of the standing scientific committee?

Mr. Browne: The three wise men, as they are known, were asked to deal with the financial implications, and they have done that. Their recommendations or advice will go to Government and it will have to make a decision on any financial implications on foot of the report’s recommendations.

Mr. Eamon Ryan: I understand the Minister of State must await Cabinet approval before publishing the report and answering in respect of the financial implications involved or hardship schemes that may be put in place. I imagine the report cannot but be published in the next month, because as the Minister of State said, there is a timeline in terms of the upcoming season. This report will inevitably have to come out within a matter of weeks and the Government will have to make a decision on it within a matter of weeks. The Minister of State reiterated several times that the Government is standing by the advice of the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission, which is welcome. That committee’s advice could not be clearer, namely, that we need to put an end to the mixed stock fishery and catching of wild salmon. There will have to be an end to that mixed stock fishery. The only question for the Cabinet to decide is what will be the consequential management in terms of hardship, the defining of mixed stock and so on. Ultimately, the Government has agreed that the scientific advice is correct and we should move towards ending that mixed stock fishery.

Mr. Browne: The Government and the House have agreed that we would get to the scientific figures by 2007. We only received the report this week. We will give it serious consideration, present it to the Government for its consideration and, depending on its consideration, we will have to act quickly. I outlined the deadline dates within which we have to work. As soon as the Government makes it decision, we will operate within that deadline.

[Hoppy]

Ban on salmon drift-netting expected soon
Stephen Collins, Political Correspondent

A complete ban on drift-netting for salmon at sea and a ban on angling for salmon in a number of vulnerable rivers in the east and southeast are among the key recommendations of the report of the Independent Salmon Group established by the Government.

The Government is expected to adopt the report within the next few weeks. Full acceptance of the recommendations would involve a ban on angling for salmon in major rivers including the Liffey, the Boyne, the Barrow, the Nore and the Suir.
The report, which warns that radical measures are necessary to halt "the catastrophic decline of Irish salmon stocks", was brought to Cabinet yesterday by Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey.

It was discussed last night at the parliamentary party meetings of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.

It recommends that there should be a complete ban on "mixed stock fishing" at sea from 2007. "This implies a complete cessation of drift-net fishing or any other form of harvesting outside rivers and estuaries," says the report.

Mixed stock fishing involves fishing for salmon that come from more than one river. By definition, all fishing at sea involves the catching of mixed stock.

A hardship fund of €30 million is proposed by the group to compensate drift-net fishermen. While noting that there is no legal compunction on the State to provide compensation in a situation where it is acting for the public good, the report recommends that the public good would also be served by providing a measure of relief to those likely to experience hardship.

The report was welcomed last night by Senator John Dardis of the PDs, who said it was a complete vindication of the stance adopted by his party.

As well as banning drift-netting, the other major recommendation in the report is that angling should be banned on a number of rivers where stocks are now dangerously low. Most of these rivers are in the east and southeast.

"We are now at a critical juncture in our efforts to halt the catastrophic decline of Irish salmon stocks. It is clear to us that a radical and comprehensive new management approach is now needed. The scientific advice is unequivocal that the ending of indiscriminate mixed stock fishing at sea and the restriction on angling in certain rivers are essential parts of a national strategy to arrest this decline," says the report.

It also points to the persistent and increasingly intense pressure on Ireland from the EU to come into line with best international practice and end indiscriminate drift-net fishing.

The members of the Independent Salmon Group are Prof Tom Collins of NUI Maynooth, John Malone, former secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Food, and Padraic White, the former head of the IDA who chaired the national review of the EU Common Fisheries Policy

[wnion]

Government Publishes Report of Independent Working Group on Salmon

Written By: Ken Cleary
On Date: 26/10/2006

The Government has today published the report by the independent group on salmon, formed last March to investigate the implications of aligning with scientific advice for the commercial salmon fishing sector in 2007. A Government decision on the recommendations contained in the report will be made shortly.
In March of this year the Government committed to aligning with the scientific advice for the 2007 salmon season. The Government recognised that compliance with scientific advice from 2007 onwards could mean hardship for commercial fishermen and vulnerable coastal communities. Accordingly, the Government decided to appoint the Independent Group to examine all the implications of aligning with scientific advice for commercial fishermen salmon fishing.
The Government's primary motivation in committing to align with the scientific advice for the 2007 salmon season is that of conservation of the wild salmon species. The salmon has long been regarded as one of Ireland's most prized fish, instilled in our traditional mythology as the Bradán feasa, the salmon of knowledge, and valued as a cultural and economic resource.
EU obligations also require Ireland to comply with the habitats directive which imposes the precautionary approach and requires an end to indiscriminate mixed stock fishing.
Expert scientific advice available shows marine survival of salmon in the North Atlantic has decreased significantly in the past decade. Less than half to one third of the salmon returning to rivers in the 1970s and 1980s are currently returning to Irish rivers. In this regard it is vital to afford every protection to the remaining stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch. The current imperative must be to maintain stocks above conservation limits or at the very least halt the decline.
The Independent Group submitted the report on 17th October 2006 and the Government is currently considering its findings. The report of the Independent Group is available at the following location:http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/Marine/Inland+Fisheries+Marine+Leisure+and+Research/Inland+Fisheries/Report+of+the+Independent+Salmon+Group.htmENDS
For further media information, please contact:-
Olive Stephens, Press Advisor [phone] / Mobile: [phone]
Ken Cleary, Press Officer: Office [phone] / Mobile: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[wnion]

FG unconvinced that compulsory salmon netting ban will work

Written By: Ian Perry
On Date: 26/10/2006

Marine sector devastated as a result of Govt inaction, dither and delay FG Five Point Plan would Protect Salmon Stocks and Encourage Angling Tourism This Government has shown absolutely no leadership, no vision and no commitment to helping Ireland’s marine sector. Our salmon stocks have been in serious decline for many years, but the current Government has ignored developmental and scientific advice and has consistently resisted taking action to save this valuable natural resource, according to Fine Gael Spokesperson on the Marine, John Perry TD. Deputy Perry was commenting on today’s (Wednesday) publication of the Report of the Independent Salmon Group.

“I am again reiterating Fine Gael’s commitment to our five-point plan that will help protect salmon stocks and help encourage the re-development of angling tourism. Fine Gael is unconvinced that a compulsory ban on commercial netting would work. Fine Gael’s policy document, “Salmon Charter – Sustaining our Salmon Stocks” published last January announced a plan that would help protect salmon stocks and help encourage the re-development of angling tourism. A key proposal in the policy was the commitment to establish a voluntary compensation scheme to encourage salmon netsmen to stop fishing, resulting in an increase in our endangered salmon stocks.

“This scheme would involve commercial netsmen being compensated to either stop fishing indefinitely, or to set-aside their nets for three years. With each person who goes for this option, the quota will be reduced. We believe this is an essential step. If a netsman decides to take compensation to indefinitely stop commercial net fishing, then his quota will be forever removed from the Total Allowable Catch. All payments given under these compensation schemes would be tax-free. It is a very important part of this policy that all compensation schemes are voluntary. This policy is not designed to push anyone out of the commercial netting industry, but rather to help those for whom net fishing is no longer profitable or desirable.

“Fine Gael has been calling on Minister Dempsey and Browne to implement a clear policy that would allow us to save our salmon stocks. But the sector has been devastated as a result of Government inaction, dither and delay by their failure to deal with this problem.

“There has never been a thorough assessment of the level of salmon in Irish rivers. While salmon counters are in operation on some rivers, many other counters are either lying dormant in warehouses or are on the rivers, but not functioning. The Government has neglected to carry out a thorough evaluation of salmon stocks, which would be vital before taking any steps towards a compulsory ban on commercial netting. The Government is also ignoring other issues today, just as the effect of commercial netting was sidelined for years. Tackling pollution, as outlined in our Salmon Charter, is vital in order to protect our wild salmon stocks. The management of angling licences is also in disarray and there is currently no central data on the tags, which are issued to anglers. The Government is trying to combat years of ignoring the welfare of wild salmon by making one statement, without tackling other issues, which are depleting stocks.

“Under the Fine Gael five-point plan, the dire state of our salmon stocks and our angling tourism industry would finally be addressed after years of neglect.

“Fine Gael’s proposals include;
§ Establishing a voluntary compensation scheme for salmon netsmen. These schemes will involve commercial netsmen being compensated to either stop fishing indefinitely, or to set-aside their nets for three years. Payments would be tax free, and will result in a reduction in the Total Allowable Catch commensurate with the quota allocated to the netsman availing of the scheme;
§ Empowering Sea Fishery Officers to police inland waterways and administer the new scheme;
§ Taking concerted, cross-departmental action on water pollution that is damaging salmon stocks;
§ Instructing the National Salmon Commission to address the commercial development of Irish salmon, and enhance our national brand;
§ Respecting and adhering to the advice of our scientists on this vital issue.

[wnion]

Recommendations of the Irish Independant Salmon Group

Written By: Garth Roberts
On Date: 26/10/2006

Recommendations of the Irish Independant Salmon Group

Dublin,, 24th October 2006

From Garth Roberts CFF

1. National management of wild salmon should be based on the individual river as the fundamental unit of management.

2. Harvesting should be permitted only on stocks that are classified by the SSC as meeting their conservation limits.

3. Harvesting should be managed in such a way that the quantity fish harvested does not exceed the surplus specified in the annual report of the SSC.

4. There will be no mixed stock fishery permitted at sea from 2007. This implies a complete cessation of drift-net fishing or any other form of harvesting outside rivers and estuaries.

5. The harvesting of salmon will only be allowed in rivers that have an identifiable surplus.

6. The harvesting of salmon will be prohibited in rivers which do not have an identifiable surplus.

7. Based on the precautionary approach, harvesting of salmon will be prohibited in rivers that currently have inadequate information to allow an appropriate assessment or where the
average rod catch is less than 10 salmon per annum.

8. In the region of 68,000 fish that might otherwise have been taken in at-sea drift-net fishery in 2007 are available for redistribution to their natal rivers.

9. As a consequence of the redistribution of the foregone at-sea drift-net catch up to 10 rivers, which would otherwise not meet their conservation limit in 2007, will now have a surplus over the conservation limit requirement.

10. As a consequence of the redistribution of the foregone at-sea drift net catch, in the region of 40,000 additional fish will be available for harvesting in rivers that have an identifiable surplus. (This new surplus is in addition to the surplus that would have been available in these rivers had the at-sea drift net fishery continued).

11. As a consequence of the redistribution of the foregone at-sea drift net catch, in the region of 28,000 fish will return to rivers that will continue to be below their conservation limits after redistribution.

Implications of the New Surplus

The management and allocation of any new surplus provides a significant opportunity to address the demands of various competing sectoral harvesters including, recreational fishermen,
domestic and international angling tourism development, private fishery owners, fish processors, and net fishermen in rivers in estuaries. As the new surplus will be the result of management changes introduced in 2007 and beyond, there can be no a priori claim to these fish.

We came to the conclusion that the redistribution of this new surplus is a critical issue which will have consequences across a number of headings, including management, allocation between different stakeholders and, depending on that allocation, alleviation of hardship.

Any model for the allocation of this surplus should:

1. Be predicated on the assumption that this is a public good.

2. Recognise the case of groups such as processors, restauranteurs and retailers, who have traditionally accessed
wild salmon from the commercial sector, for a continued source of supply.

3. Accommodate the interests of the tourism sector, given the potential of international angling.

It is possible to devise models for allocating the surplus either at a regional or national basis. Regardless of the model chosen, changes to the current legislation will be required to permit the sale of rod caught fish, as was the case prior to 2001.

Given that this surplus is a public good, it seems reasonable that the beneficiaries should make a proportionate payment. The income the state derives from such payments could productively
be used to enhance the management and development of the salmon resource at an individual river level.

Implications for Salmon Management

There will be specific implication for the fishery managers in relation to:

1. River based management;
2. Conservation limits;
3. Mixed stock fisheries in rivers and estuaries;
4. Management Information systems;
5. Stock rebuilding programmes;
6. Control and Enforcement;
7. Research;
8. Water Quality and physical conditions;
9. Increased pressure on other species.

Implications for Commercial Fishermen

1. Fisheries at sea: There will be no fishing permitted at sea from 2007.

This implies a complete cessation of driftnet fishing or any other form of harvesting outside rivers and estuaries.

2. Mixed Stock Fisheries in rivers and estuaries: Mixed Stock Fisheries in estuaries or freshwater will be prohibited where any component of the mixed stock is not meeting its conservation limit.

3. Rivers not meeting their Conservation Limits: All fishing will be
prohibited on rivers that are currently not meeting their conservation limits.

4. Increased availability of fish: Additional surplus will be available in a number of rivers and estuaries.

Additionally opportunities will arise in the context of the distribution of 'new' surplus.

Implications for Recreational Fishermen

1. Fisheries in rivers and estuaries: Single stock fishing will be allowed only where rivers meet their conservation limits.

2. Rivers not meeting their Conservation Limits: All fishing will be
prohibited on rivers that are currently not meeting their conservation limits.

3. Mixed Stock Fisheries: Mixed Stock fisheries for salmon in rivers or estuaries will be prohibited where any component of the mixed stock is not meeting its conservation limit.

4. Catch & Release: There will be general presumption against the use of catch-and-release as a fishing method on stocks classified as not meeting their conservation limits.
Implications for Processors, Retailers, Restauranteurs

For the processing sector it is evident that the main traditional channels of supply will cease. Also the total commercial harvest of wild salmon will be less than that available heretofore. Various options for the allocation of the any new surplus are suggested, and depending on the management decisions taken in this respect, the impact on this sector can be mitigated.

Implications for Angling Tourism

Fáilte Ireland has ambitious plans for this sector that are contingent upon successfully rebuilding stocks. Given
that a key impact of the new management regime proposed will be to generate additional harvestable surplus in certain rivers, then, depending on the management decisions taken in regard to the new surplus it should be possible to enhance the potential of the tourist sector.

In the longer term the objective should be to develop Ireland as a
sustainable and competitive international angling destination, based on the recovery and growth of the national salmon
resource.

The success of this strategy will be dependent on enhanced access for tourist anglers. It was not apparent to us that
this is currently the case.

Scale of Financial Loss in The Commercial Sector

There are a large number of salmon drift-net fishermen (584 or two-thirds of the total) who caught less than 100 fish and who earned less than _3,300 from this activity in 2005. Of the
remainder, 119 earned more than 15,000 in 2005.

The total catch by drift-netting has fallen sharply in recent years, and the total catch in 2005 is only slightly more than half (51%) what it was in 2001.

The scientific advice available to us is that falling productivity is the main driver of change, and that all else being equal catches would probably have fallen sharply even in the absence of a TAC based management regime. Nor is there is any evidence of this trend changing in the immediate future.

Though locally important fewer than 1 in 15 draft-net Fishermen/teams currently catch more than 100 fish per annum, while over 50% of licence holders catch less than 20. Given that
the majority of draft-net teams number three men it cannot, for the majority of participants, be regarded as a significant source of income.

There are a large number of salmon draft-net fishermen/teams (400 - 500) for whom annual salmon fishing represents but a modest source of income, and probably no more, on average,
than _1,000 per team in 2005.

In 2005 some 33 licensed draft-net fishermen/teams recorded catches in excess of 100 fish each. One fisherman/team recorded between 500 and 1,000 fish and one recorded a catch in excess of 1,000 fish. For these fishermen salmon makes up a modest portion of their current annual income (>_5,000 on average).
For the 2 exceptional licence holders with catches greater that 500 fish,salmon fishing makes up a significant portion of their current annual income (>_20,000 and >_40,000 respectively).
n As with drift-netting, it is clear that the total catch by draft-net
fishermen has fallen sharply in recent years.

The total catch in 2005 (16,735) is only slightly more than half (54%) what it was in 2001 (30,861).

Traditional fishing using head-weir traps, loop-nets, bag-nets, and snap-nets currently accounts for less than 3% of the annual salmon catch in Ireland. Even the largest of these, the snap-net fishery, probably accounts for fewer than 2,500 fish annually (average value over the period 2001 - 2005, _57,000). Given the number of participants in relation to the catch it is clear that in no case does the catch represent any more than a very small part of the annual income of the licence holder. There are, however,
strong traditions associated with these very old, and culturally distinct fisheries.

Addressing Financial Hardship Recommendations We are proposing that:

1. A total fund of _30 million is established to address hardship.

2. We recommend that the fund be allocated on the following
basis:

The fund is available to all those subject to a compulsory closure of their current fishery, namely the holders of drift-net licences.

The fund is available, on a voluntary basis, to all those engaged in draft-net, loop-net, bag-net, snap-net,
and head-weir fishing. This scheme should be open up to the end of 2007.

3. The level of payments should be determined as follows:

a. Payments should be based on the average verifiable (tag return) catch for each licence holder for the past 5 years (2001 - 2005). (A)

b. Payments should be based on the average net income per salmon in the commercial drift and draft-net fishery for the past 5 years (2001 - 2005). We estimate this to be _23 per salmon. (B)

c. Each individual licence holder should receive 6 times their
average catch (A) multiplied by the average net
income per salmon (B).

d. In all cases a payment equal to 6 times the current licence fee in respect of each licence surrendered will be made. For example, in the case of drift-net fishermen, this equals a payment of _2,022. In the case of draft-net fishermen participating in the voluntary scheme the payment will be _1,140.

4. Given the immediate impact of the new regime we recommend that payments under this scheme should be made in one installment in 2007.

5. In every case, those who avail of the direct payment scheme should be required to:

a. Surrender their licence immediately and permanently.

b. Verifiably decommission their net(s) and/or fixed fishing engines to the satisfaction of the competent authority.

6. We estimate that the total fund required for this part of the scheme will be of the order of _25 million.

7. That a community support scheme to a value of _5 million be established to support the development of additional economic opportunities in communities affected by the closure of the drift-net fishery. The focus of this measure should primarily be those communities where drift-net fishing has been a well established activity and where its withdrawal demonstrably impacts on their economic and social fabric, e.g. Gaeltacht areas.

Those eligible under this scheme would especially include those formerly involved in the drift-netting sector, or, alternatively, where a promoter proposes to employ a significant number of people formerly engaged in drift-netting.

Contributions to the Hardship Scheme

Contributions In Cash

It has been clearly indicated to the Group that anglers, fishery owners and the holders of estuarine net licences should contribute to the cost of any hardship scheme introduced. On that
basis we recommend the introduction of an 'environmental or stock rebuilding stamp' equivalent to the cost of each licence category

We emphasise that this contribution be designated for the purposes of salmon conservation which is a critical requirement for a sustainable recreational angling sector.

Contributions In Kind

We recognise that the angling community makes a significant contribution to protecting and managing salmon stocks at the individual river level. This role should be further enhanced and developed and should be recognised as a contribution in kind.
Increased tourist access to rivers is a critical issue for the angling
tourism sector if it is to develop from its current position.

[wnion]

Synopsis of Irish Salmon Group report

Written By: Doug Lock
On Date: 1/11/2006

Having looked at the three man report here are my views;-
Until the report is ratified by the Government we will not have positive proof that Mixed Stock drift netting will cease. So it is no good shouting that all is well until this has happened. BUT IF THIS IS RATIFIED then certain criteria must be put in place. There must be strict control of poaching both at sea and in rivers and estuaries with substantial fines given to those convicted. This autumn gave proof that the fishery board staff do not have enough funding or will to police and enforce the law.



· As many rivers are proposed to be totally closed to angling, then there is the likelihood of poaching on those rivers.
· Catch and release is not recommended in the report as a conservation measure, so does one take it (that once the daily limit has been taken on rivers that remain open to angling) that angling will cease once the limit has been reached. IF NOT then there must be method and hook restrictions in place with BIG fines for those who do not observe such laws.
· Many rivers were under catch and release only for this September BUT there are numerous allegations of fish killed on these rivers (and over quota killing on this one) and nothing done to control or police them.

· As the Bride is one of the rivers to be closed to angling, this ensures that the status of the Blackwater system below the mouth of the tributary is a mixed stock fishery and therefore NO NETTING of any description should take place downstream from the Bride mouth.

· It would be too easy to ratify this document to appease the EU and other lobbyists but in actual fact do nothing to enforce the recommendations.

One only has to see how many laws here are put on the statute book and yet seldom enforced. As one onservationist calls them:-

“IRISH SOLUTIONS TO IRISH PROBLEMS”

[wnion]

Catch & release

Written By: Press Officer
On Date: 1/11/2006

www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/CatchandRelease.htm
The link above takes us to CFB information on how to safely catch and release salmon. It is well written and contains the correct criteria….YET so far this has not been made mandatory for angling once the legal daily limit has been taken. The recent publication of the Independent Salmon Group report which if ratified will certainly have a reduced limit on anglers on rivers that will stay open next season.

Will therefore mandatory method and hook restrictions be put on the statute books?
Will measures be put in place to police and enforce them?

[wnion]

The salmon of knowledge is not likely to be found lurking on the backbench

Written By: Joseph O'Malley
On Date: 1/11/2006

ANY Minister who can unite some 20 dissenting Fianna Fail backbenchers and the whole Fine Gael party in making common cause against his fisheries policy may well be doing something right. Most likely, he is acting in the national interest, and facing down the special pleading of some special sectional interest, such as the drift-net fishermen. Last week, Noel Dempsey was doing just that, and not for the first time in his ministerial career. On Tuesday, the Minister of the Marine welcomed the report of the Independent Salmon Group (ISG). The Group, in its report, has advised the Government to take some drastic, but long overdue, measures to halt the terminal decline of salmon stocks in Irish waters. The ISG has proposed a ban on drift-net fishing for salmon from next January, and suggested that some €30m be paid to compensate those adversely affected by the change. The report produced a hostile reaction from some 20 Fianna Fail backbenchers, who held a meeting with Noel Dempsey to outline theirobjections. First, they were opposed to a compulsory ban. They favoured a voluntary approach. Except most observers, including the authors of the Independent report, dismiss this as unworkable. Andsecond, they pressed for a larger compensation sum for the commercial fishermen affected. The dissenting TDs, who are mainly from coastal constituencies, were conscious that a general election is a matter of months away, and so were keenly aware of the power of the fishermen's vote. Their self-serving action reflects an increasingly familiar pattern of political response, where Government backbenchers sometimes behave as if they were Opposition TDs in order to distance themselves from unpopular Government decisions. On issues such as fisheries, the special interest groups and their political allies in the Dail from various parties, mobilise either to try and block necessary legislation or else to oppose some executive action that the Government may be considering. In this instance, the national interest, clearly, is best served by conserving salmon stocks, with Ireland meeting its international obligations by upholding and not frustrating the conservation efforts of other countries such as Britain; and by supporting EU law, which has outlawed drift-netting. On this occasion, as once before on the sea fisheries legislation, Fine Gael joined the Fianna Fail dissenters. Last week Fine Gael opposed the drift-net ban, and favoured a voluntary approach. Labour, however, has backed the Independent report, as have the Greens, who have supported the Government on the two contentious fisheries issues to emerge this year. Last spring, a similar showdown took place on another marine matter, the Sea Fisheries Bill. There, Noel Dempsey was tackling what was generally regarded as serious criminality in the sea-fishing industry. He was doing so by ensuring the effective enforcement of EU law. And by doing so, he was also protecting the taxpayers from the massive fines that Ireland could face, should the Government fail, properly, to enforce the EU's common fisheries policy. On that occasion, he also faced an attack on two fronts: from a very vociferous fisheries lobby within the Fianna Fail party, as well as from Fine Gael and Labour. Then, he found himself criticised for doing the right thing, when, he might well have been criticised for not doing the right thing sooner. But on that legislative measure, Noel Dempsey had a convincing win over his critics, both inside the party, and outside. What the policy differences revealed was an Opposition trawling for votes, with Fine Gael and Labour not caring too much where they fished for support, or indeed how they got it. What Fine Gael's current opposition stance to the drift-net ban shows is the party once again engaging in shortsighted opportunism to embarrass the Government, while failing to appreciate how it is damaging its own credibility in the process, while also exposing a serious policy difference with Labour on the issue. How will differences be reconciled? The drift-net ban is a battle that Noel Dempsey should win, but ultimately the fate of the ISG report will be decided by Government, more than by him. And, not for the first time, he risksrepudiation. Nevertheless, his approach is refreshingly different to most other ministers. Unlike most of his Cabinet colleagues, except Michael McDowell, Dempsey is a political risk-taker and a conviction politician. He believes he is elected to make decisions, not to shirk them, and to mobilise support for his proposals. Most other ministers in his position last week would have delayed taking a decision on the sensitive issue of the drift-net ban until after the next election. He accepted the challenge. But Noel Dempsey has a history of taking on challenging issues, which may prove neither publicly popular, nor ultimately electorally profitable. Equally, he enjoys a mixed record of success in implementing what he proposes. His efforts to introducee-voting remain his most embarrassing setback. He proposed the elimination of the dual mandate, which stops TDs from also serving as councillors, which was implemented by his successor, Martin Cullen, having faced major resistance, not least from within Fianna Fail. In 2002, Noel Dempsey introduced the plastic bag tax, which has proved a great success. The tax has raised €51m in revenue so far, and has cut the use of these bags by 93per cent. As Education Minister, he proposed to reintroduce third-level fees, on the basis that the taxes of the poor should not subsidise the education of the rich, and that the extra revenue was needed, as in Britain, to finance the increasing cost of third-level education. It was, however, judged to be politically inexpedient to proceed. And it was quietly dropped. His courage is not in doubt, even if sometimes his political judgment is in question, and is reflected in an inability to distinguish between what is desirable, and what is politically achievable. Undoubtedly, his reforming zeal sometimes exceeds his capacity to win support for the change he hopes to secure. The ban on drift-net salmon fishing is the latest challenge, and the latest test of his political mettle. Joseph O'Malley

[wnion]

Ireland bans salmon drift-netting to save stocks
Wednesday November 1, 06:52 PM
By Andrew Bushe


DUBLIN (AFP) - Ireland decided to implement a total ban on commercial salmon fishing in the country's seas, despite opposition from fishermen, after a report warned stocks had suffered a "catastrophic decline".

Marine Minister Noel Dempsey said the wild salmon is one of Ireland's most prized fish that has been "instilled in our traditional mythology as the Bradan feasa (the salmon of knowledge), and valued as a cultural and economic resource".

The key recommendations from a government-appointed

Independent Salmon Group (ISG) last month were a ban on driftnet fishing at sea from January 1 and a 30-million-euro (37.7-million-dollar) compensation and buy-out package for 877 drift net fishermen.

The ISG also recommended an angling ban in some of the country's most renowned fishing rivers where stocks have dropped below critical conservation levels.

"Expert scientific advice available shows marine survival of salmon in the North Atlantic has decreased significantly in the past decade," Dempsey said in a statement.

"Less than half to one third of the salmon returning to rivers in the 1970s and 1980s are currently returning to Irish rivers.

"In this regard it is vital to afford every protection to the remaining stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch."

The move was welcomed by Martin Territt, the European Union representative in Ireland, who said it meant the republic will comply with the Habitats Directive, a key nature conservation law to protect species.

Last July, the European Commission sent Ireland a final written warning about bringing in salmon conservation measures.

"The commission is encouraged by this new sign that the Irish authorities are taking steps to remedy matters," Territt said in a statement.

Dempsey said the government realised the ban would mean difficulties for commercial fishermen and vulnerable coastal communities.

The hardship fund would give each fisherman a payment equal to six times their average annual catch over the period 2001-05, multiplied by the average price per salmon over the period.

Although the buy-out scheme is compulsory for drift-netters, other commercial salmon fishermen using draft-nets, loop-nets, bag-nets and snap-nets in estuaries and rivers can also sign up on a voluntary basis.

The ISG said that expert opinion in Britain also blamed Irish drift-netters for hitting stocks there.

The wild Atlantic salmon stock is under pressure in many countries.

It lays its eggs in freshwater rivers and streams and then migrates to sea before returning again. Fish may swim more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) back to their rivers of origin.

Dempsey said the ban would mean that in the region of 68,000 salmon that might otherwise have been caught in drift nets will now get back to their birth rivers.

[Hoppy]

Irish Government Adopts Key Recommendations of Independent Salmon Group Report - DCMNR Press Release

Dublin,, 1st November 2006

Noel Dempsey T.D., the Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, today announced that the Government has adopted the key recommendations of the report by the Independent Working Group on Salmon. The key recommendation of this report is the creation of a hardship fund for those affected by the compulsory buy-out of drift net fishermen.

The Government's primary motivation in adopting the report is that of conservation of the wild salmon species, which has long been regarded as one of Ireland's most prized fish, instilled in our traditional mythology as the Bradán feasa, the salmon of knowledge, and valued as a cultural and economic resource.
Expert scientific advice available shows marine survival of salmon in the North Atlantic has decreased significantly in the past decade. Less than half to one third of the salmon returning to rivers in the 1970s and 1980s are currently returning to Irish rivers. In this regard it is vital to afford every protection to the remaining stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch. The current imperative must be to maintain stocks above conservation limits or at the very least halt the decline.

The Government realise that these proposals will entail hardship for commercial fishermen and vulnerable coastal communities. To offset this they have established a hardship scheme for those affected. This fund, worth over €25 million, will give each fishermen a payment equal to six times their average annual catch over the period 2001-2005 multiplied by the average price per salmon over the period (€23). Each fisherman will also receive a payment equal to six times the current licence fee. Although the scheme is compulsory for drift net fishermen the scheme will also be open to other commercial Salmon fishermen who use nets such as snap and draft.

An additional €5 million fund will be available for a community support scheme. This support scheme is designed to aid the development of those communities where the impact of the cessation of drift netting will be hardest felt and provide alternative employment and economic opportunities for those affected.

From now on we can expect our management of wild salmon will be based on an individual river basis. This is a quantum leap from our previous management of the fishery and will ensure that we can optimise the potential benefit of returning salmon, as well as ensuring that in each river salmon stocks will in time return to a healthy status.

This means that the harvest of salmon, by any means, will be restricted to those stocks of rivers that are judged by the scientific advice as meeting their conservation limits. Commercial fishing and recreational angling can continue only on the scientifically identified exploitable surplus.

However in the region of 68,000 fish that might otherwise have been taken in the at-sea drift-net fishery in 2007 will be available for redistribution to their natal rivers. As a consequence of the redistribution of the foregone at-sea drift-net catch up to ten rivers, which would otherwise not meet their conservation limit in 2007, will now have a surplus over the conservation limit requirement.

The National Salmon Commission, in the context of the report, will now bring forward advice to the Minster on measures for management of the wild salmon fishery in 2007. Regulations governing the management of the 2007 season will be published for public consultation before the end of the year.ENDS

For further media information, please contact:-
Olive Stephens, Press Advisor [phone] / Mobile: [phone]
Ken Cleary, Press Officer: Office [phone] / Mobile: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[wnion]

Fish body move on salmon

Written By: Anne Lucey
On Date: 15/1/2007

THE head of one of the country's biggest fishery districts has hinted there may be a way back into commercial salmon fishing for drift netters on the southwest coast.
Under new salmon conservation measures, no licences for drift netting will be available in 2007 in Cork and Kerry, where traditionally around 150 licenses have been issued.

However, Aidan Barry, chief executive of the South Western Regional Fisheries board, which covers Kerry and much of Cork, told the board's monthly meeting in Macroom on Tuesday night that those who do not take the hardship fund on offer from the Government will be entitled to apply for whatever commercial licenses are going and may emerge in the future.

These would include draft net fishing licenses which became available on the estuaries. Drift netting would be ruled out, Mr Barry said.

"So there is a prospect where those who choose not to take the hardship fund could find a way back where there's a surplus, and in the southwest there will be a surplus. I see no intention to discriminate against drift net fishermen."

[GETHYN]

Written By: Orri Vigfússon
On Date: 20/2/2007

NASF and its conservation partners urge the Irish authorities to think again about new netting regulations that could allow drift netting and other types of mixed stock fisheries to continue under another name. It has taken the global Atlantic salmon fraternity the best part of 20 years to get the Irish Government to accept its international obligations to end its interceptory mixed-stock salmon fisheries. Last November the Irish Government conceded that the drift nets violated the ICES scientific recommendations, the EU Habitat Directive and the UN Law of the Sea Treaty and announced that it was ending all Irish driftnet fisheries for salmon. The announcement was hailed with approval by a wide range of interests including NASF and the government was rewarded with very positive publicity in Ireland and its neighbouring countries. Unfortunately, we now have serious doubts about the government's real intentions.



The Coalition has been advised that, either by accident or design, the new regulations announced by the Irish government will backtrack on its commitments to end the damage drift netting has done to stocks. As matters stand, regional fisheries managers will be permitted to redefine driftnets as draft nets and to extend the areas of estuaries and bays in which commercial salmon fishing is permitted.



This will have the effect of continuing the mixed-stock fisheries that have prevented far too many salmon from reaching their home rivers in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. We find it particularly disturbing that the most likely places where the new netting opportunities may be offered are the areas where most of the mixed stocks of salmon caught by drift netting were formerly taken -- the Kerry region, the Donegal coast and the Foyle area through the cross-border Loughs Agency. The Lough Foyle region has a long history of allowing mixed-stock salmon fishing to reduce spawning numbers to minimal conservation limits.



Anglers in Ireland and elsewhere believe that if the Irish government's claim to be ending drift netting is by-passed in this way there will be an increasing assault on salmon stocks as the numbers of traditional estuarial nets are swollen by an unwelcome influx of drift netters operating as estuarial nets.



As they stand, these new regulations suggest that the Irish Marine department remains prepared to permit commercial fishermen to fish the salmon resource to extinction. If this is allowed to take place a return to salmon abundance will never be achieved. We call on the Irish Government to accept that the Atlantic salmon is a common international resource and withdraw any regulations that could dilute the beneficial effects that an end to Irish mixed stock fisheries should produce.

[wnion]

Concerns for proposed Salmon Regulations SANA Ltd Response

Written By: Ian Calcott
On Date: 21/2/2007

The President of the Scottish Anglers National Association has already registered his dismay - and added SANA's name to the list of protesting signatories - at the apparent situation.
Over the past few months I have sadly warned enthusiastic admirers of the Irish Government's "end drift netting" decision to beware of a false dawn.
The politicians of the Emerald Isle are nothing if not devious - they seem to be experts at using the dense Irish mist to hide a tidal wave of dubious practice.
The initial decision to end drift netting was accompanied by a raft of draconian restrictions on anglers - difficult to argue against because they were imposed on "conservation" grounds.
Any re-adjustment of long-established netting regulations, locations, etc. can only be seen as a vote-catching manoeuvre that cannot be justified on "conservation" grounds.

I cannot speak for my NGO colleagues to NASCO but I would be very surprised if we not unanimous at that forum in Maine in June in condemning the Irish Government for any moves seen to be attempting to claw back mixed-stock salmon and grilse catches "lost" by the closure of the drift net fishery.

Such Government action would make a mockery of all the efforts made over the years by notable individuals and organisations. It will also register as a snub to the EU and that will not go down well with EU Member States and other Parties to NASCO.

Undoubtedly, it might also be another nail in the coffin of Irish salmon angling tourism to the further detriment of many in the rural community.
Regards
Ian Calcott
Chairman
Migratory Fish Committee
SANA

[shocker]

Can anyone explain to me just what is the point of EU legislation if it is toothless and unenforceable?
I dont claim to understand much in politics except on a very local level but surely this orwellian doublespeak by the irish government (akin to the uk model) must raise a few eyebrows,somewhere?Ireland has represented itself as an enthusiastic frontrunner in the european community,holds itself up as the shining example of the success of the euro then seems to ride roughshod over its less "sexy" commitnents.
The EU is not a buffet where you pick up a few bits of what you fancy and pass on the less attractive,maybe healthier,dishes.
But what can we,the anglers,do about this?The MEPs that I have had contact with in the past seem blithely ignorant of issues such as these,when I have aked about support for our agriculture on a level with the other EU nations I have been either ignored or treated to a diatribe on diversification.We are now seeing what leaving UK farms to go to the wall or become theme parks gets us,imported diseases.Are we to be treated to the same disinterest on this front?I cant see the EU doing much,they've destroyed our fisheries industry with their policies and driven many species to the brink of extinction so why should it be any different with salmon?
I would like to be able to do something.I join all the relevant associations that finances allow but is there something more direct (short of physical,possibly criminal) that can be done?