A recommendation from the National Salmon Commission that drift-net fishing for wild Atlantic salmon should cease from the end of this year is not before its time.
Salmon stocks have been so damaged by over-fishing at sea that survival of the species is endangered in some river catchments. And earnings from angling tourism have fallen dramatically. Having ignored a worsening situation for years, the Government must now accept the commission's advice and arrange proper compensation for drift-net fishermen and the introduction of new protection measures.
In the past, the Government opposed a buy-out and opted instead to introduce catch quotas on commercial fishermen and bag limits on anglers. Scientific advice on catch quotas was, however, ignored by the Government, and the fishery continued to decline. Fewer than 850 fishermen are involved. And about 500 of those take less than 100 salmon each year. The cost of compensation should not, therefore, be very great.
There would be little point in preventing drift-net fishing at sea if it only transferred the capture point of the salmon to estuaries and rivers. The whole purpose of this exercise is to rebuild salmon stocks and to return our rivers to their former state. That will only happen if strict quotas are maintained for draft-net and snap-net fishermen in estuaries and if game angling is tightly controlled. Some rivers have been so damaged that a temporary ban on all fishing may be required. Poaching will have to be tackled by both the Garda and fishery officers. And rod fishermen should be encouraged to engage in voluntary catch-and-release programmes.
At the moment, drift-nets are responsible for more than 60 per cent of the entire catch of an estimated 200,000 fish. Draft-nets capture about 15 per cent. And anglers take roughly 10 per cent. But before an additional 120,000 salmon swim into our rivers in 2007, the Government will have to ensure that the fish are properly protected. This will involve the employment of extra fishery officers to prevent poaching and to regulate angling. Questions of title will have to be cleared up. And investment in spawning grounds is needed.
Difficult negotiations lie ahead with drift-net fishermen. Those who stand to benefit from a Government buy-out should contribute to the cost. Fishery owners are the most obvious stakeholders. The tourism sector will also benefit. So will the Exchequer. And an increasing number of anglers. Rod fishermen should be prepared, through their licences, to part-fund a resource that will provide sport for themselves and for their children.