Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now

Scientists sound the death knell for drift net fishing for salmon .
Government must heed the advice of its scientists on salmon stocks

 (26 January 2006) – “The advice given today to the National Salmon Commission by its Standing Scientific Committee effectively means that the long running argument about drift netting for salmon is over.  They report makes it clear that drift netting must cease if salmon stocks are to be restored. 

 “It is imperative that the Government acts immediately to introduce the measures that will be needed to bring about an orderly end to the drift net fishery commencing this year” said Niall Greene, chair of Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now today after the Standing Scientific Committee of the National Salmon Commission had today advised the Commission on salmon quotas for 2006.

 “The report from the scientists reveals an even more serious decline in salmon stocks than even the most pessimistic among us had expected” he continued.

 The Commission were told that there was an “exploitable surplus” of only 106,000 salmon available to be taken by all methods (commercial fishing and angling) in 2006.  This represents a decline of 15% on the scientific advice for 2005 when an exploitable surplus of 125,000 was identified.  As recently as 2002 the scientific advice was that there was a surplus of 148,000 or almost 50% more than recommended for 2006.  In addition, the scientists are reported to have recommended that consideration be given to closing up to eight of the country’s seventeen salmon fishing districts to fishing by all methods to enable stocks rebuild in the most endangered rivers, especially in the South West.

 Most importantly, the Standing Scientific Committee draw attention to the particular threat which drift netting poses for those rivers where salmon stocks and the number of spawning fish is lowest.

 “There is only one conclusion to be drawn from these figures and the scientists in their advice today pointed to it”, Niall Greene said, “We can no longer play fast and loose with our salmon stocks and drift netting must be phased out as rapidly as possible.  In addition, the scientists have drawn attention to the need for Ireland to meet its obligations under the EU Habitats Directive.

 “The Minister for the Marine and his officials know what has to be done: they must drastically reduce exploitation and stop drift nets killing salmon on their way back to rivers that are under severe pressure due to a lack of spawning fish.  The cost of the financial package that would be needed to compensate drift net licencees leaving the industry is only a small fraction of the environmental, biodiversity, economic, social and recreational benefits to be derived from restoring salmon to abundance in our rivers.  Ending drift netting would also rescue Ireland from the pariah status she now enjoys internationally as a result of being the only country to permit the unsustainable taking of salmon at sea”.

 For further information contact:   Niall Greene 086 826 9222