Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 535: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to withdraw the present scheme in regard to the banning of drift net salmon fishing and substituting a voluntary buy out scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14270/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no proposals to withdraw the Salmon Hardship Scheme as published some time ago.

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 regulations to cease mixed stock fishing is the conservation of the wild salmon species. It is vital to afford every protection to the remaining salmon stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch. We must fulfil our obligations under the Habitats Directive, as implemented in Ireland, as to the objectives to be achieved by the conservation and management regime, namely to maintain or restore fish stocks to favourable conservation status.

Scientists in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, the European Commission and the Standing Scientific Committee of the National Salmon Commission call for the complete cessation of all indiscriminate mixed stock fishing for salmon and the cessation of harvesting of stocks that are below their conservation level.

As part of their remit, the Independent Group set up to examine the implications for the commercial sector made recommendations to address any financial hardship that may be experienced by the sector. The approach to determining the hardship payments, which they recommended and was adopted by Government, is robust and convincing and does not need to be modified.

Payments under the hardship scheme are available to all those who held a commercial salmon fishing licence in 2006.

We must end the mixed stock fishery immediately. While I note the observations of those seeking a voluntary cessation of the fishery, we simply could not rely on sufficient fishermen volunteering to do this where it is necessary.