John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the very short timeframe for fishermen to examine its future implications, he will extend the submission date for the salmon hardship scheme in view of the fact that in order to gain compensation fishermen must give up their right to apply for any future commercial salmon licence and that the independent group's recommendation only dealt with a cessation of drift net fishermen; the reason fishermen have to submit to never applying for any commercial salmon licence in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10662/07]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources further to the salmon hardship scheme, what will happen in the situation where salmon stocks might recover and certain nets may be needed to take a quota of salmon in view of the fact that all those who accept compensation must undertake not to make a future application for a commercial licence if they want to avail of this compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10663/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the primary motivation in aligning the future management of the wild salmon fishery with the scientific advice and the introduction of the appropriate regulations to cease mixed stock fishing is the conservation of the wild salmon stocks. It is vital to afford every protection to the remaining salmon stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch.

The Independent Group was set up to examine the implications for the commercial sector of aligning the wild salmon fishery with scientific advice for 2007 and beyond. The scientific advice called for the complete cessation of all indiscriminate mixed stock fishing for salmon and the cessation of harvesting of stocks which are below their conservation limit.

The Salmon Hardship Scheme which I published recently is being administered jointly by BIM and the Regional Fisheries Boards. The closing date for receipt of applications is the 30th March 2007. However, I am advised that applicants will have until the 31st December 2007 to accept any offer under the scheme. The scheme is voluntary and individuals do not have to make an application or accept an offer following an application.

It was the recommendation of the Independent Group that those who avail of the scheme should not be able to apply for a licence in the future. It is my intention that the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order will shortly be modified in such a way that applications for commercial fishing licences will only be invited for fishery districts where rivers are identified as having surplus stock in 2007 and only for those methods that do not impact indiscriminately on stocks of fish that are below their conservation limit.

In the future where stocks recover and it is established from the results of the Genetic Stock Identification project that significant numbers of fish destined for other rivers are not intercepted, it should be possible to exploit the identified surplus in rivers, bays and estuaries by all appropriate methods, but within the constraints permitted by the Habitats Directive as transposed by the European Communities (National Habitats) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 94 of 1997).