Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 578: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on an extension to the cut-off date for the acceptance of offers under the salmon hardship scheme, the terms of the hardship fund which states that it should apply to drift net licence holders on a voluntary basis and on the fact that the 2007 regulations had the effect of forcing draft licence holders to surrender their licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35504/07]

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

The closing date for receipt of applications under the Salmon Hardship Scheme was 27 April, 2007. Applicants, however, have until 31 December 2007 to accept any offer under the scheme. As previously stated, most recently in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 998 of 11 December 2007, this deadline, I believe, provides ample time for those concerned to give the scheme due consideration and accordingly, there are no plans to extend the date for acceptance of any offers under the scheme.

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.

Persons who do not avail of the scheme are entitled to apply for a commercial salmon fishing licence. In 2007 draft net fishermen had the opportunity to apply for a licence in those fishery districts where rivers had an identifiable surplus of salmon stocks. 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.