The Minister of State for the Marine, John Browne, has announced details of the €30 million hardship fund for commercial salmon fishermen. The scheme was recommended in the report by the Independent Working Group on Salmon and adopted by the Government last November.
Under the plan, fishermen will receive payments equal to six times their average annual catch between 2001 to 2005, multiplied by the average price per salmon that equated to €23 over the same period.
They will also receive a payment equal to six times the 2006 licence fee and the fund is available to commercial salmon licence holders who held a licence last year. An additional €5 million will be available for a community support project.
The support fund is designed to aid the development of those communities where the impact of the end of drift-netting will be hardest felt and provide alternative employment and economic opportunities for those affected.
An explanation booklet and application form will be posted to fishermen and applications will be accepted up to close of play on March 30th, 2007. Offers will be made shortly thereafter and candidates have until the end of year to accept an offer.
The Minister added: "I hope this scheme provides a measure of relief for commercial salmon fishermen affected as a result of the Government's adoption of the Independent Working Group's report."
• Further to the recent Something Fishy feature in Angling Notes, Richard Wilson writes to say the concept of the central and regional fisheries board to promote "fish" through the schools is excellent.
"I wondered if the idea could go a stage further and get some interested teachers and students to put a Young Scientist project together," he said. Wilson attaches an article he penned for the Rush Community News following a visit to this year's BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
• At Cardigan Magistrates' Court in Wales last week, three local men were ordered to pay £900 (€1,326) in fines and costs after pleading guilty to illegal fishing on the River Teifi at Cardigan.
The three were prosecuted for placing an unauthorised net upstream of Cardigan Town and taking migratory trout without a fishing licence.
• Two members of the DúLaoghaire lifeboat are to be awarded the Thanks of the Institution on vellum. A further five are to receive vellum Service Certificates, for their rescue of a lone swimmer in Killiney Bay last September.
Also, Lough Swilly lifeboat's second coxswain is to be accorded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum, deputy second coxswain, a Framed Letter of Thanks and four crew members are to receive vellum Service Certificates for their rescue of the 45-foot crabber Mary Ellen and her six crew.
• Before setting out on that well-earned fishing trip to the west of Ireland, check out the new six-page brochure Angling in north Mayo. The flyer is free and illustrates the exceptional game and sea angling available in the region.
Included also is a map of the area and hotel accommodation. To obtain a copy, call Markus Muller at 01-9622788 or e-mail: mmuller@nwrfb.com.
• The first salmon on the River Finn in Donegal fell to Cyril Bolton on opening day. The spring fish, taken on fly, weighed in at 5.9kg. On the second day, Paul Callaghan from Cork landed a 3.8kg salmon. Seven salmon in total were caught over the first weekend. Contact Cloghan Lodge on tel: 074-9133003.
• Several anglers reported trout on the first day on Lough Conn. Michael Rutledge, Sean Goulding and Michael O'Toole enjoyed an exceptional day with 10 trout to wet flies.
• All fisheries on the River Moy are now open except the Ballina Salmon Anglers' beat, upstream of the weir. Free fishing is still available on the Ridge Pool until the first salmon is caught there. All legitimate methods are allowed except prawn and shrimp.
• Fishing commences on the River Tolka at Broombridge this Saturday at 10am with the traditional St Patrick's Day competition. Permits are available from most angling shops. For further details, e-mail tolkatroutanglers@gmail.com.