Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will address the problem of net fishing on the River Nore which is severely reducing the fish stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7065/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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A licensed snap net fishery operates on the River Nore. This fishery has operated for several hundred years. The snap net fishery is allocated a percentage of the total available catch (available salmon surplus). The division of the total available catch between the snap net fishery and the rod and line fishery is determined after consultation with the District Committee, which includes commercial fishery representatives, salmon rod angling representatives and rated occupier representatives.

In 2011 the total available catch was divided equally between the snap net fishery and the rod and line fishery and 32 snap net licences were issued on the River Nore. The snap nets are only allowed catch a maximum of the total available catch allocated to them. Each salmon caught has to be tagged as per the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations. The snap net fishery is closely monitored by officers of Inland Fisheries Ireland to ensure compliance with the Regulations.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if eel fishermen in the Suir Estuary will receive compensation following the closure of commercial eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7064/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The 2007 EU Eel regulation (1100/2007), drafted in response to the endangered status of the European Eel, required EU States, including Ireland, to develop an Eel Management Plan.

Based on the scientific facts available, a recommendation of this plan was that Ireland close both the commercial and recreational eel fisheries in 2008. Bye-laws, Conservation of Eel Fishing Bye-law No. C.S. 303, 2009 and Conservation Of Eel Fishing (Prohibition On Issue Of Licences) Bye-law No. 858, 2009, were signed by the then Minister in 2009 prohibiting the capture of eels. There was no provision for compensation for those who previously engaged in this fishery on a commercial basis.

The then Central and Regional Fisheries Boards (now Inland Fisheries Ireland – IFI) engaged with the eel fishermen representatives to investigate possible diversification schemes; however, no specific funding was identified for diversification. I understand that a number of former eel fishermen have been contracted by the ESB to undertake Trap and Transport operations to mitigate the impact of hydropower schemes as part of the eel management plan.

In June 2012, the status of eel in Ireland, and across Europe, will be reviewed as part of the reporting requirement for the 2007 EU regulation. This will include a review of the status of the eel stocks nationally and the potential for commercial fishing in the future.

This report will clarify and update the situation for eel fishery in Ireland and it will inform any decision to open the fishery or to keep it closed. In line with the conservation imperative, no eel fishing will be permitted in the interim.

The status of the European Eel in Ireland was recently defined as critically endangered (Ireland Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish Red Data List, published in 2011). Scientific analysis estimated that 2007 Eel escapement (adults going to sea) was at 23% of pristine stock and declining. Due to the very long cycle and slow growth in Irish waters it is probable that any recovery of the Irish eel stocks will be over a very long time frame.