P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on relaxing the drift net ban for drift net fishermen who did not participate in the compensation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2838/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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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. We must fulfil our obligations under the Habitats Directive, namely to maintain or restore fish stocks to favourable conservation status.

Persons who did not avail of the Salmon Hardship Scheme are entitled to apply for a commercial salmon fishing licence where available in the future. There is no question of relaxing the conservation measures other than 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, in those circumstances, to exploit the identified surplus in rivers, bays and estuaries by all appropriate methods, within the constraints permitted by the Habitats Directive. It is not envisaged that drift netting in the open seas will be licensed in the future.