Madam, - Any measures that will help conserve salmon stocks in our waters will have the full support of Fine Gael. That is why Stephen Collins's contention that Fine Gael is kowtowing to 20 discontented Fianna Fáil backbenchers - or any other vested interests - is entirely erroneous (Opinion, October 28th).
Fine Gael, as the only party with a specific spokesperson on marine matters, has consistently raised the issue of salmon conservation in recent years. Because of the priority we attach to the issue, we produced our policy paper on salmon conservation last January. Based on the scientific evidence before us, we recommended aimmediate voluntary buy-out of drift-net fishermen. This would result in approximately 80 per cent of fishermen leaving the industry. The rest could then be effectively controlled with shortened seasons, reduced quotas and effective monitoring. The effects of these measures could be reviewed within three years; meanwhile, all the other necessary measures could be put in place. A Joint Oireachtas Committee report last summer made very similar recommendations.
However, as I always work with the best scientific advice available, I will be inviting the authors of this latest report to make a presentation of their findings to the Fine Gael parliamentary party as soon as possible.
But proposals on drift-netting are only one element of salmon conservation we put forward. To suggest that this is the answer to all our problems is entirely simplistic and a complete cop-out.
In fact, the greatest danger to our salmon stocks over the past 10 years has been the disgraceful behaviour of the Government, which has consistently down-graded and under-resourced the marine industry. Despite scientific evidence against drift-net fishing, this Government has consistently increased quotas for drift-net fishermen. The recommendations of the €250,000 Farrell Grant Sparks reporton the roles of the fisheries boards have been ignored. The boards are now so under-resourced that 90 per cent of their budgets go on salaries and administration. A proposal by then Minister Frank Fahey four years ago to invest €30 million in the development of inland fisheries has never seen the light of day.
The Government has also entirely ignored other major issues concerning salmon and marine conservation:
What will be the impact of just buying out licences on other species, particularly crab and lobster, or is the Government proposing to buy out the boats entirely? What realistic agenda is it proposing to address the problems in spawning beds and pollution?
What resources will it put in place so that we can get an accurate picture of what is happening in our rivers and lakes? At present there are no counters on most of our rivers and no personnel to monitor them. What about the almost complete lack of any poaching monitoring on any of our rivers and lakes?
What is the effect on salmon stocks of the increasing seal population? What are the implications of the sea-lice controversy and the decimation of white trout? What about the crisis with the entire pelagic fleet tied up since last March? What is the Government's view on the potential destruction of the western lakes due to zebra mussel? Crucially, what about the unanswered question in relation to salmon survival at sea?
Within the next month Fine Gael will produce its own policy proposals outlining a comprehensive programme for the conservation, restocking and development of the marine industry. We will listen to the views of the latest commission and take them into account when finalising our proposals - Yours, etc,
JOHN PERRY TD,
Fine Gael
Marine Spokesperson,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.