The National Salmon Commission has approved the first ever restrictions on catches of salmon in an effort to save the stocks. After a meeting in Dublin today, the Commission has adopted proposals put forward by the Minister for the Marine that will cut drift-net catches this year by levels ranging from 5% to 15% in different fishery districts.
The proposals will also restrict commercial fishermen to an overall catch based on the average of what they caught in the past four years. Anglers will be limited to catching one fish a day. Further conservation limits, including controls on the lengths of nets, will be set over the next five years. These measures will be decided on a scientific basis.
The proposals are intended to deal with the effects of drift-netting on salmon stocks. Ireland is the last country in Europe to allow the practice. The Minister opted to enforce catching controls rather than ban drift-nets.
There has been criticism from all sides of the debate about the proposals. Anglers have demanded a total ban on commercial fishing, while drift-net fishermen have insisted on the right to continue their traditional fishing which they say is their livelihood.
The Chairman of the Salmon Commission said that the proposals were courageous. Joey Murrin urged Minister Frank Fahey to continue with his policy.
Minister Fahey has also met with senior Gardaí to arrange support for fisheries protection staff, some of whom have been attacked while dealing with illegal fishing.
