If this report related to horse racing I would say we have cleared the last fence and now have the finishing post within our sights. Crossing the line should be completed within 21 days.
I am referring, of course, to the truly historic decision reached by the National Salmon Commission (NSC) for the cessation of the indiscriminate exploitation of mixed salmon stocks in Ireland at the end of this season.
Following protracted negotiations between angling and commercial sectors at central fisheries board headquarters in Swords, Co Dublin, last Monday, the NSC voted by a majority decision of nine in favour, eight against and two abstentions to end the salmon drift fishery off the Irish coast.
The NSC advice is based on the strict understanding the minister implements, in full, recommendations of the Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) of the commission that will result in the cessation of drift netting this year. The Minister must also introduce in 2007 a compensation scheme for commercial salmon fishermen and financially support a number of pilot projects under review.
Additional recommendations call for a national and district total allowable catch (TAC) to be aligned with scientific advice by next March and, in line with national guide figures, wild salmon exploitation in 2006 should not exceed 106,000, with 91,000 allocated to the commercial sector and 15,000 to angling.
From an angling perspective, the NSC favours voluntary catch-and-release of rod-caught salmon to be encouraged and a bag limit of 15 fish per angler for this season. Also, to continue the provision of one fish per day in September and to consider the length of the angling season and capture methods of multi-sea winter stocks.
The NSC, in conclusion, also recommends the SSC be asked for its advice on management of sea trout stocks and for an enhanced protection regime utilising modern technology to be developed.
At this point, it should be noted that none of the commercial representatives on the NSC supported the recommendations and instead issued a brief report outlining their views.
"Without having a comprehensive package of measures from Government to compensate fishermen who may be forced to exit the fishery or set aside their rights, and a formula to accommodate those who wish to continue fishing, we cannot agree to any forced closure of the traditional Irish drift-net fishery," said NSC chairman Joey Murrin.
Murrin said he considered the issue of compensation as the biggest hurdle. A large proportion of commercial fishermen are willing to surrender their rights if facilitated. If this takes place, a mechanism to identify and manage areas of single-stock exploitation could be used to facilitate those fishermen who wish to remain in the sector, he said.
Bob Wemyss, secretary of the Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now (SSDNN) campaign, said: "The anglers' group on the commission deserve great credit for shepherding this decision through. The minister still has to make a decision and has effectively until the end of March to do so." Meanwhile, SSDNN has decided to postpone its agm scheduled for March 25th. This is to allow time to assess whatever decisions the minister may announce at that time based on advice of the NSC. The agm and conference will be reconvened towards the end of April.
Niall Greene, chairman of SSDNN, said: "In light of these decisions we will either be planning for a new post-drift-netting era with abundant spawning salmon beginning to return to the rivers or we will be returning to serious campaigning - hopefully the former."
Further to last week's Angling Notes story on the threat to the Great Western Lakes because of zebra mussel, Myles O'Gorman from Boyle in CoRoscommon suggests an alternative to steam-cleaning. "Maybe someone can adapt a floating crane (motorised) equipped with a steam hose and qualified personnel. For a fee, vessels could be hoisted by a cage-like apparatus, cleaned and treated with a suitable deterrent and returned to the waterway," he said.
PS: Due to space limitations, the specimen fish awards day report is deferred until next week.
Around the fisheries
Corkagh Park, Dublin: Ben Carvosso received a specimen certificate at last week's national specimen awards for a magnificent carp of 5.7kg that he caught at the fishery last May on halibut pellet.
In the trout lake, an additional input of 30 rainbows up to 6.8kg last week will complement the existing abundant stock. The fishery is well worth a visit. Better still, why not arrange a group booking? Tel 01-4592622 for details.