Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reactivate the traditional ring-netting of salmon on the stretch of water along Inver Strand, County Donegal, where the practice was undertaken for generations. [5962/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The strand at Inver bay is inside the half seaward mile of the defined mouth of the river Eany. Salmon fishing can take place by ordinary draft net outside the half seaward mile in accordance with the regulations.

In relation to the protection and conservation of salmon stocks, under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 – Part VII; Section 94 (1) –

It shall not be lawful for any person (other than the owner of a several fishery within limits thereof) to shoot, draw, or use any net for the taking salmon at the mouth of any river of within half a mile seaward or half a mile inwards or along the coast from the defined mouth of any river.

The defined (River) mouth of the River Eany is: - a straight line drawn from in a south-easterly direction from a point in the town land of Fanaghans to a point in the town land of Clover Hill or Drumbeg (D13 of 9 May 1864).

The legal limits of the fishery, which has been communicated to licence applicants over previous seasons, is necessary to conserve and protect salmon spawning escapement to the river, particularly in light of the overall widespread decline in Atlantic salmon stocks over recent years.

The permitted area for commercial salmon draft netting under current legislation has been communicated annually to all salmon draft net licence applicants.