Drift Nets Banned in Irish Waters
The 31st of July, 2006 was an auspicious day for the almighty salmon. It was the day the Irish Government suspended drift netting by commercial fishermen in Irish waters, a practice that was seen as highly detrimental to the impact of fishing populations. The bold change of policy was widely hailed by sport anglers across Ireland and the globe.
“The ending of drift netting is a significant milestone for all of those concerned about the future of Irish salmon, " said the chair of Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now, Niall Greene.
"Indiscriminate drift netting has played a major role in the decline of our salmon stocks and unless this practice is ended the future of the salmon will remain critical," Greene added.
Anglers, tourism interests and conservationists have battled hard to convince the Government that its policy must change. It was the added pressure of the EU Commission, which issued a final written warning to Ireland in June in relation to the Government's management of salmon stocks, that caused the Irish government to finally act.
The policy change was announced in March 06. Scientific evidence indicated an urgent need to act. Further studies would continue, including extensive monitoring of salmon migrations, to gauge the affect of the policy change.
The driftnet ban have pose major challenges to commercial fishermen across Ireland, all but shutting down some of the boats, and making it next to impossible to order wild salmon on a menu. Yet in the two years since the ban was enacted salmon numbers have experienced a dramatic improvement.
Sports fishermen have certainly applauded the move. Yet Niall Greene warns fishermen to think less about their short term interests and more about the long term health of the fisheries.
"The protection of salmon from illegal exploitation both at sea and in the rivers is an immediate priority. Simply transferring over exploitation from the seas to the rivers will serve no ones interests and the angling community has a large part to play in ensuring that this does not happen," he said.
Greene and his organization see a need for a coherent and comprehensive plan for the restoration of salmon stocks to be developed. And that such a process should enlist the collaboration of all major participants, and not be some top down policy dictated by the Department of the Marine. Water quality and the protection of habitats are also important issues Greene feels should be addressed.
“ Ireland , despite all the difficulties that face the salmon in the future, now has an unparalleled opportunity to reverse the decline in stocks. It is important that we grasp it,” Greene said.
