Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 201: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the acceptance of the hardship funding by licensed holders disqualifies nominees for applying for a licence if fishing re-commences as nominees receive no compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29156/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised that in order to obtain payment from the Salmon Hardship Scheme, eligible applicants are required to provide an undertaking that they will not apply for a commercial salmon fishing licence in the future. Persons who do not receive compensation are not precluded from applying for a licence in the future.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 202: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on a situation (details supplied). [29157/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Independent Group, set up to examine the implications for the commercial sector of aligning the management of the wild salmon fishery with scientific advice for 2007 and beyond, recommended that hardship payments should be based on the average verifiable (tag return) catch for each licence holder and on the average net income per salmon in the commercial fishery for the years (2001-2005) inclusive. This income calculation was based, by the Group, on the average price obtained per fish each year less the costs incurred by fishermen. The approach to determining the hardship payments recommended by the Group and adopted by the Government is, I believe, robust, convincing and fair.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 203: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action that will be taken regarding the licences of fishermen who do not accept the hardship fund by 31 December 2007, which is the deadline for acceptance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29158/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Participation in the Salmon Hardship Scheme is voluntary. The scheme was established by the Government to address the likely hardship that would arise because of the necessary cessation of interceptory mixed stock fishing for wild salmon. The opportunities to fish for salmon, however, will be more limited in the future than in the past largely because of the unacceptability of the mixed stock fishery at sea. It will also be dependent on the recovery of stocks and the availability of a scientifically identified surplus for harvest.

Persons who do not avail of the compensation scheme are entitled to apply for a commercial salmon fishing licence. The number of commercial salmon fishing licences available and determination of priority in the allocation of such licences is governed by the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order. Salmon fishing licences are issued annually and there is no automatic entitlement to them. They cannot be transferred, traded or sold. No property right exists in them. It is illegal to fish for salmon without such a licence.