Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 1047: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has plans to grant a small number of drift net fishing licences to island based fishermen in the interest of sustaining island communities around the coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11346/08]

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.

There is no question of relaxing the conservation measures other than in rivers 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 is not envisaged, however, that drift netting in the open seas will be licensed in the future due to the constraints of the Habitats Directive.

I am aware of the impact of the cessation of the seasonal wild salmon fishery on island communities and this is reflected in the allocation of funds being made available through Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann in their administration of the Community Support Scheme funded from the Salmon Hardship Fund. This scheme is specifically directed at the development of additional economic opportunities where commercial salmon fishing has been a well-established activity and where its withdrawal demonstrably impacts on the economic and social fabric of the communities.