Angling Notes/Derek Evans:A new year, a new season and still no final chapter can be written as to the fate of our most precious species, the wild salmon.
While Minister of State, Pat (The Cope) Gallagher refuses to heed scientific advice on permissible commercial catch levels or to discuss compensation packages for a buyout, fewer and fewer salmon return to our rivers and angling tourism continues in freefall.
With the exception of Fianna Fáil, all political parties in Dáil Éireann are in favour of taking action to avert this potential disaster. Even I have received requests from FF members for background information on the salmon issue.
Will somebody with real authority please stand up and put a stop to this destruction of our wild salmon before it is too late?
Following a complaint by the Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust (WSRT) to the EU, the Environment Commission has upheld submissions that Ireland's commercial drift net fishery is killing salmon needed to restore European salmon stocks. As a result the Government has, at last, promised to comply with the EU Habitats Directive.
Under the directive a number of salmon rivers, including the Hampshire Avon, are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). Tagging evidence proved that of 14 English and Welsh SAC rivers affected by Irish netting, only one had sufficient salmon spawning.
And, in 2004, only 13 of the 25 SAC rivers in Ireland had sufficient spawners. In all these rivers, local interests adopted extreme measures of conservation to conserve remaining stocks.
Ireland has ignored its responsibilities in this regard and allowed its drift net industry to catch huge numbers of salmon returning from feeding grounds off Greenland, Iceland and the Faroes.
Long-term efforts by a broad range of international and home-based organisations to persuade the Government to close the fishery in the interests of their own economy and the conservation of salmon, have fallen on deaf ears.
These efforts included proposals for compensation and redeployment schemes for displaced netsmen, efforts that have proven so successful elsewhere. England's northeast coastal drift net buyout is a good example.
In 2002, WSRT lodged a complaint with the EU Environment Commission and cited four infringements of the directive. Other English and Welsh rivers followed and in 2004, eight Irish river interests lodged similar complaints, assisted by the Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now organisation and An Taisce. Irish rivers included the Barrow, Nore, Suir (two complaints), Slaney (three complaints), Boyne, Owenmore (one at Ballynahinch), Lower Shannon and the Bandon.
After examination by all 25 EU commissioners, the WSRT complaint was upheld and in July 2005 a first warning was issued to the Government.
In response to the EU warning, the Government has indicated it now accepts the requirements of the Habitats Directive and that more needs to be done to ensure the conservation of wild salmon.
Pat (The Cope) Gallagher has also issued specific terms to the National Salmon Commission requiring all recommendations to be considered in relation to obligations under EU legislation and take full account of the Habitats Directive.
To avoid any doubt in this matter, the Minister will ask the NSC chairman to ensure requirements of the directive will be adhered to by the Standing Scientific Commission and NSC when compiling advice to him.
Brian Marshall, chairman of WSRT, said: "While we welcome the apparent change of attitude from the Minister, we wait to see tangible evidence that Ireland at last recognises its international obligations."
Niall Greene, chairman of Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now, said: "The response extracted from the Irish Government by the EU Commission on foot of the Wessex complaint is a significant step forward in the campaign to phase out drift netting in Irish waters."
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Around the fisheries
Rathbeggan Lakes, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath: Proprietor Dave Robinson is offering a Two for One promotion for the New Year. Simply fill in a voucher form and send a stamped addressed envelope to receive your Buddy Voucher for some winter fishing.
For further details, contact rathbegganlakes@clubi.ie.