Shannon fishermen to consider legal action over Government's eel ban

SHANNON EEL fishermen are meeting this week to consider initiating a legal challenge over the Government’s ban on eel fishing.

The Shannon Eel Fishermen’s Association says that up to 300 eel catchers will be affected by two bylaws enacted recently by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan.

The ban has already been attacked by deputy leader of the Green Party Mary White and Fianna Fáil backbencher Mary O’Rourke. Ms O’Rourke described the ban in the Dáil late last month as an “utterly shameful, despicable action”. Damien Murray of the association said fishermen disputed the scientific arguments put forward by Mr Ryan, and believed there was insufficient research and a lack of consultation.

Fishermen were also aggrieved at the lack of compensation for loss of income, he said, whereas “bankers, politicians and public servants receive lavish payments when they become redundant”.

“The future of a fish smoking factory in Westmeath is also threatened by his action,” he said. Other European states had not sought a complete ban, while signing up to conservation measures, he said.

Mr Ryan has justified the measure on conservation grounds and has offered to employ some eel fishermen in trap and transport schemes for eels to mitigate the impact of hydro-electric power generation on Shannon stocks.