Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to offer any proposal for a buy out system to currently registered holders of drift net salmon licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23119/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to protect the wild Atlantic salmon species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23123/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 221 together.

Wild salmon stocks are under threat from a variety of adverse environmental and other pressures which impact on marine survival as well as in our rivers and estuaries. As Minister of State with responsibility for the marine, I am fully aware that these pressures, along with excessive exploitation of salmon stocks, pose a significant threat to the long-term sustainability of this valuable natural resource.

With this in mind, the Government has accepted the scientific advice that continues to maintain that reductions in the overall fishing effort are required to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks nationwide. For this reason, current Government policy has been designed to bring spawning escapement up to the level of the scientifically advised conservation limits and to fully align the wild salmon catch on the scientific advice so that we can have increased confidence that a sustainable management regime is in place.

Since 2002, the Government has implemented a strategy to ensure, through progressive reductions in the commercial catch, that the conservation limits specified by the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission are being reached. This policy of promoting the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling has delivered significant overall catch reductions aimed at achieving the objective of restoration of salmon stocks. A quality and value strategy is also in place within the commercial salmon fishery aimed at improving how fish are handled, post catching, to ensure that the maximum price per fish is obtained. This approach maintains or increases the overall income derived from the fishery even when the total catch is reduced.

In these circumstances, I have no plans to introduce proposals to purchase commercial drift net salmon fishing licences. The Government has consistently ruled out buyout as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks. Moreover, no convincing case has been advanced as to the public good that would be acquired by the State in the context of a publicly funded buyout of commercial salmon drift net licences or why stakeholders benefiting from increased numbers of salmon entering the rivers should not contribute in whole or in part towards achieving that increase.

As I have previously and consistently indicated to the House, I am prepared to keep the matter under review. In this regard, I would be open to any relevant proposals presented to me whereby stakeholders benefiting from any reduction in commercial catch would engage in the first instance with licence holders and indicate a willingness to address any compensation issues that might arise. In the meantime, the Government believes that the current strategy of developing a sustainable commercial and recreational salmon fishery through aligning catches on the scientific advice holds out the strong prospect of a recovery of stocks and of a long-term sustainable fishery for both sectors.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of salmon drift net licences that are issued in each fisheries board area for each of the past five years; the number of these that were actively used in that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23120/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The following table indicates the total number of salmon drift net licences which were issued by the regional fisheries boards and actively used by fishermen during the period 2000 to 2004. I am advised by the Central Fisheries Board that it has not been possible, within the time available, to provide this information in respect of the individual fisheries board regions. I have, however, asked the chief executive officer of the Central Fisheries Board to ensure that this specific information is collated and forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the estimated average income of a holder of a salmon drift net licence from that source as assessed by his Department for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23121/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Primary responsibility for the allocation of commercial salmon fishing licences is a matter for the relevant regional fisheries board, in accordance with the prescribed criteria laid down under the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order 2005, SI 72 of 2005. While this licence entitles fishermen to fish for salmon in a specified fishery district, these licence holders are not required to report their income from this source to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Prior to 2005, applicants for commercial salmon fishing licences were required, in accordance with the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order 1980 and subsequent amendments, to provide details to the regional fisheries board of their income from fishing to verify that proportion of their livelihood derived from fishing for salmon. I understand, however, that while fishermen were required to provide these details on their application forms, this information was not collated by the fisheries boards. As a result, the Central Fisheries Board advises me that it is not in a position to provide the estimate as sought by the Deputy.