Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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619. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reopen Lough Foyle to salmon fishermen for drift net fishing; if there will be a compensation package put in place for the drift net fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46395/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Lough Foyle is within the remit of the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, which is a North-South Body established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.I am advised that under the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) Regulations 2010, intoduced by the Loughs Agency, the Agency is required to “suspend netting in the River Foyle, Lough Foyle and seaward of Lough Foyle”, unless the management target number of salmon set out in the regulations is exceeded in each of any two of the previous five calendar years. I am further advised that as the management targets have not been exceeded netting remains suspended under the 2010 regulations and in line with the conservation imperative. Any plans to reopen the Rivers and a prospective timeframe for same would be a matter for consideration by the Loughs Agency in the light of the provisions in the regulations. I am advised that the Agency keeps matters under ongoing review.

In 2007 payments under the Salmon Hardship Scheme, were offered to commercial fishermen, operating in interceptory fisheries, to voluntarily cease fishing in the commercial drift net and draft net sectors. 134 fishermen in the relevant area availed of the scheme and 28 did not apply in order to retain their licences. The scheme closed for applications in 2007.