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PRESS STATEMENTS 2006

GOVERNMENT ADOPTS RECOMMENDATIONS OF INDEPENDENT SALMON GROUP REPORT

 

Dublin, 1st November 2006

 

Noel Dempsey T.D., the Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, today announced that the Government has adopted the key recommendations of the report by the Independent Working Group on Salmon. The key recommendation of this report is the creation of a hardship fund for those affected by the compulsory buy-out of drift net fishermen.

 

The Government’s primary motivation in adopting the report is that of conservation of the wild salmon species, which has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s most prized fish, instilled in our traditional mythology as the Bradán feasa, the salmon of knowledge, and valued as a cultural and economic resource.

 

Expert scientific advice available shows marine survival of salmon in the North Atlantic has decreased significantly in the past decade.  Less than half to one third of the salmon returning to rivers in the 1970s and 1980s are currently returning to Irish rivers. In this regard it is vital to afford every protection to the remaining stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch. The current imperative must be to maintain stocks above conservation limits or at the very least halt the decline.

 

The Government realise that these proposals will entail hardship for commercial fishermen and vulnerable coastal communities. To offset this they have established a hardship scheme for those affected. This fund, worth over €25 million, will give each fishermen a payment equal to six times their average annual catch over the period 2001-2005 multiplied by the average price per salmon over the period (€23). Each fisherman will also receive a payment equal to six times the current licence fee. Although the scheme is compulsory for drift net fishermen the scheme will also be open to other commercial Salmon fishermen who use nets such as snap and draft.

 

An additional €5 million fund will be available for a community support scheme. This support scheme is designed to aid the development of those communities where the impact of the cessation of drift netting will be hardest felt and provide alternative employment and economic opportunities for those affected.

 

From now on we can expect our management of wild salmon will be based on an individual river basis. This is a quantum leap from our previous management of the fishery and will ensure that we can optimise the potential benefit of returning salmon, as well as ensuring that in each river salmon stocks will in time return to a healthy status.

 

This means that the harvest of salmon, by any means, will be restricted to those stocks of rivers that are judged by the scientific advice as meeting their conservation limits.  Commercial fishing and recreational angling can continue only on the scientifically identified exploitable surplus.

 

However in the region of 68,000 fish that might otherwise have been taken in the at-sea drift-net fishery in 2007 will be available for redistribution to their natal rivers. As a consequence of the redistribution of the foregone at-sea drift-net catch up to ten rivers, which would otherwise not meet their conservation limit in 2007, will now have a surplus over the conservation limit requirement.

 

The National Salmon Commission, in the context of the report, will now bring forward advice to the Minster on measures for management of the wild salmon fishery in 2007. Regulations governing the management of the 2007 season will be published for public consultation before the end of the year.

 

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:-
Olive Stephens, Press Advisor +353 1 678 2440 / Mobile: 087 760 1642
Ken Cleary, Press Officer: Office +353 1 678 2441 / Mobile: 087 905 9618
Email: press.office@dcmnr.gov.i e
 

NEW SPECIES OF FRESHWATER COARSE FISH CONFIRMED IN IRELAND
Dated: 2nd July, 2006

Chub ­ a new species of freshwater coarse fish have been confirmed for the first time in Ireland. The new species were located in the River Inny downstream from Ballymahon in Co. Longford. The confirmation was made during a major fish stock assessment survey on the mid section of the Inny River undertaken by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Bard and the Central Fisheries Board.

The Chub were located at a number of locations over a 2 km section by the survey team from The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board who are currently working on the main River channel of the River Inny.  In all, over 30 fish were recorded ­ both male and female.

Chub are silver in colour, and during their first and second years of growth resemble Roach in shape and colour ­ however the species do grow to 4lbs or 5 lbs with some reaching over 8lbs and at that stage have a very distinctive shape and colouring. These fish are not native to Ireland and were introduced, probably over the past two or three years.

Mr. Eamon Cusack, CEO of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board pointed out that Chub will create serious problems for our native Irish fish species such as Trout and other long introduced coarse fish such as Bream, as they are both predators and competitors.

Mr. Cusack stated that he was unsure as to how the Chub arrived in the Inny, but it is possible that the fish were transported here from England in a container ­ a highly illegal activity. It is part of a wider and expanding movement of fish, shellfish and plants which are causing serious difficulties in our rivers and lakes around the country. The Shannon Board is working with its colleagues in the other Fisheries Boards to seek the introduction of measures to prevent such occurrences.

The survey of the River Inny catchment has also shown some excellent stocks of Pike, Bream and Hybrids in sections south of Derravaragh.
 

-  END -

For further information, please contact Matt Nolan, Inspector, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board on 087 2429417

MARINE MINISTER JOHN BROWNE LAUNCHES DR MARTIN O'GRADY'S BOOK "Channels & Challenges"

 Photo: Dr Martin O'Grady pictured with Minister John Browne TD. who launched  "Channels & Challenges".  photo courtesy of Michael Flanagan, Angling Correspondent, Mullingar     

National Gallery, 30th May 2006

Marine Minister, John Browne T.D., this evening in the National Gallery of Ireland, launched a book by Dr. Martin O’Grady of the Central Fisheries Board. The book entitled Channels & Challenges is an examination of the work done on the improvement and management of Inland Fisheries over the past years

Speaking at the launch Minister Browne praised Dr O’Grady’s work saying; “While the publication is, I understand, mainly intended for use as a training manual and so is aimed principally at professional people engaged in river restoration and enhancement it is very well produced and very comprehensible to the lay person. I am sure that it will be of great interest to all those people concerned with the future of our salmon resource and indeed the protection of our environment.”

“Many fishery enhancement programmes were undertaken nationwide in both public and public/ private partnerships over the course of the National Development Plan. The Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources along with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards played pivotal roles in these schemes and I am pleased to see that this book provides examples of just how successful individual programmes were, and, in doing so, demonstrates how the benefits of future investment can be maximised in this area,” he continued.

“The Central Fisheries Board deserves credit for enabling Dr. O’Grady and his team to record their work and reproduce this manual.  I know that this book reflects the “good health” of the State’s fisheries service and hope that this publication will be the first of many,” concluded Minister Browne.

ENDS

Catch a memory

RIVER SHANNON CATCHMENT FISHERIES AWARENESS WEEK 27th May - 5th June

To celebrate the great natural fisheries resource which is the River Shannon Catchment, the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and its partners are hosting the Shannon Catchment Fisheries Awareness Week.  This will be a week packed full of activities, information and fun for all.  During the week, we will endeavour to give the public a greater understanding of the conservation needs of fish and their habitat and promote the many opportunities available to everyone in angling or enjoying the beauty of our rivers and lakes. 

Mr. Michael Callaghan, Chairman of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, outlining the ambitious programme of events taking place during the week stated that “the disappearances of the Arctic Char from the Regions waters and the real threat of extinction to the Pollan from Lough Derg and Lough Ree, may not have occurred if the public had been aware of their predicament.”  He also highlighted the severe threat to our native Trout and Salmon stocks and the need for the public to understand and take positive action to address the situation. Mr. Callaghan further stated “the public can help in their own way by considering  carefully when buying fish, that they come from a sustainable source and were caught legally, thus ensuring the conservation of scarce fish stocks.  “ 

Angling and just messing about on our rivers and lakes has given endless recreation opportunities, fun and great memories to many people and we would wish to see these opportunities given to a wider section of the public and passed onto the next generation. 

During our awareness week, a variety of events will be held in over 27 locations throughout the Shannon Catchment.  Events such as angling demonstration, casting clinics, opportunities to go game, sea, coarse angling, fishy art competitions, opportunities to see live fish and aquatic insects and much, much more, are guaranteed to make this a fun filled learning experience for children and adults alike. 

Eamon Cusack, CEO, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board states that “the awareness week gives a great opportunity to all to get a greater understanding of the fisheries resource, the work of the ShRFB and have some fishy fun.  It is hoped that the week will not just entice people onto to the water to fish but also to develop a spirit of conservation which will assist in the protection and conservation of our fisheries.”

To assist people and to help them get the most out of their trip to water the Board has placed information on its website which it hopes will be helpful www.shannon-fishery-board.ie .

We would urge everybody to get out there by the water and “catch a memory” during Fisheries Awareness Week and enter our photograph competition “Catch a memory” through our web site.  

-  End –

For further information, please contact Eamon Cusack, CEO, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board on 061 300238. 

CROSS RIVER FISHERIES RESTORATION PROJECT CO ROSCOMMON  

 Press Release dated: 28th April 2006

The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Mr John Browne, T.D., will formally Launch the Cross River Fisheries Restoration Project, Co Roscommon on Tuesday 2nd May at an official reception in Elan, Monksland, Athlone, County Westmeath. This will be proceeded by the opening of a small angling boat slipway and Launch of the new Shannon Fisheries Board protection boat at Ballyforan at 2.00 pm.

Cross River Restoration Project is a collaborative effort by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, Élan, ESB, Roscommon County Council and the local angling groups which aims to restore the fish habitat of this once noted Wild Brown Trout River. The Cross River has suffered pollution and habitat damage over recent years, which this 3-year programme will address. The partnership between an Irish multi-national company like Elan and a Regional Fisheries Board is greatly welcomed. This project is the first time in this Region that a multi-national group such as Elan and state bodies have been involved in funding an environmental programme of this type, and we hope such initiatives will continue in the future.

In conjunction with Ballyforan Development Association and Roscommon County Council, the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board completed the small angling boat slipway project at Ballyforan on the River Suck, with funds provided by Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Board. This section of the River Suck is a noted Pike angling area where a number of specimen Pike have been caught.

The patrol boat being launched is for use by the Fisheries Board, on the River Suck and Mid-Shannon systems. The boat is a 15 foot dory type of boat which is powered by a 40 hp outboard engine and is a good example of the type of inland waterways patrol vessel used throughout Europe. With this new patrol boat the Board are now fully equipped to improve its enforcement commitment on the waterways in the River Suck and the upper Shannon Systems. This new patrol vessel is a significant addition to our existing fleet which ranges from a sea going patrol boat to small lake boats.

In the current climate of increasing numbers of people using our inland waterways both for angling and recreational purposes there is now a greater need than ever to have an ability to patrol the river systems in the Region. Increased use of our inland waterways means there is now a greater need than ever to conserve our fish stocks, and this boat will help to ensure that all inland water users are adhering to the fisheries and environmental legislation in force on the upper River Shannon and the River Suck.

These three projects demonstrate the commitment of the State, Private sector and Local Community groups to the protection, conservation and development of the great natural fisheries resource of the Shannon Catchment. The development of these partnership is a model for the future protection and development of our inland fisheries. 

For further information please contact:

Matt Nolan, The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

(044) 48769 (087) 2429417

MINISTER BROWNE ANNOUNCES MEASURES to CONSERVE SALMON FOR 2006  

Date: March, 2006

  • Marine Minister, John Browne T.D., today announced that following careful consideration he has decided to adopt the recommendations made to him by the  National Salmon Commission. This will involve reductions in the quota available  to both commercial fishermen and anglers in 2006. Minister Browne also  re-iterated the Government’s commitment to fully align with the scientific  advice provided on the management of the wild salmon fishery by 2007.

  • “The Wild Atlantic Salmon is an important natural resource belonging to all  the Irish people, it is therefore clear to me that the preservation of the  species must be our top priority,” said Minister Browne.

  • “I recognise the considerable efforts made by the commercial fishing industry over the past number of years to build a sustainable fishery and they  have endured large cuts in the quotas available to them. I realise that these reductions have caused them difficulty and that full alignment with the  scientific advice will likely compound these problems. For these reasons I have  decided to appoint an independent group to examine the implications of the new  regulations for the commercial sector in 2007 and beyond and to make  recommendations on the options available to address any financial hardship that  may arise,” he continued.

  • The group will be made up of three independent experts. Padraic White,  former Chief Executive of the Industrial Development Agency and author of the  De-commissioning Report on the Irish Whitefish Fleet, Prof. Tom Collins, chair  of the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee and John Malone, a former  Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture and Food.

  • “I will be asking this group to determine the scale of financial loss which  may be experienced as a result of the measures that need to be imposed to fully  align with the scientific advice and the precautionary principle.

  • “Needless to say this is an extremely complex issue and I have endeavoured  to ensure that the working group have as broad a remit as possible to enable  them to study all the factors involved. I expect they will consult broadly with  all the stakeholders involved in the sector and take account of the  socio-economic effect on vulnerable rural communities of any changes.

  • I also expect them to examine the extent to which those stakeholders who  would be the main economic beneficiaries of more salmon being returned to the  rivers, should contribute to any scheme, whether in cash or in kind including  improved tourist access. In addition to tighter bag limits and the adoption of  catch and release methods of angling, this could take various forms including  financial contributions, reassessment of fishery rates and improved and  guaranteed tourist access to fisheries,” concluded Minister Browne.

  • Given the depth of work involved it is not expected that the working group  will present their report to the Minister until the end of August 2006. The  report of the group will be made available to stakeholders in the sector and the  general public.

  • In 2005 the total catch for all salmon was 146,823 at about 17% above the  scientific advice of 122,305.  [Commercial 122,044, Angling  25,643(estimate)]

  • Accepting the recommendations of the National Salmon Commission and the  National Fishery Managers Executive, the total allowable catch will be 91,367  for the commercial sector and 15,000 for angling, fully complying with the  National conservation limits established by the Standing Scientific  Committee.

  • The draft regulations make provision for the restriction on the annual  angling bag limit of 10 fish per angler for 2006; the NSC had recommended a  limit of 15 fish per angler.  “I believe the lower level to be necessary to  contain the total harvest by anglers to 15,000 fish, given that there is no  appreciable reduction in the average angling catch (25,000) over the past five  years and in the interest of balanced treatment of all stakeholders” said the  Minister.

  • The regulations also provide for the introduction of compulsory catch and  release from 1st September in 8 districts that are not meeting conservation  limits. Minister Browne pointed out that the fishery managers have argued that  there is an absolute need to conserve stocks in those districts. Given that  commercial fishing ceases in the majority of districts on 31 July, there is no  reason why anglers should continue to kill fish up to the end of  September.

  • “While I am relying on the assurances given by both the  commercial fishing interests and angling representatives that they are fully  committed to all measures associated with the conservation and protection of our  valuable wild salmon stocks, I have nevertheless asked the Fisheries Boards to  ensure that the new quotas are fully enforced.

SEE DRAFT CCONSERVATION OF SALMON AND SEA TROUT BYE-LAW NO. 802, 2006

SEE DRAFT S I WILD SALMON AND SEATROUT TAGGING SCHEME REGULATIONS FOR 2006

  See Archived Press Releases for 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004  - 2005 - 2006

 

ARCHIVED PRESS STATEMENTS 1999 - 2007

 

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Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach na Sionainne
Ashbourne Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick, Rep of Ireland
Tel: 061 300238 Fax: 061 300308