Statement
by "Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now"
Tuesday 4th
July 2006
EU issues Ireland Final Warning over Salmon Drift Nets
The EU Commission has issued a final written warning to Ireland in relation to the drift net fishing of wild salmon off our coast. The warning was issued yesterday (3rd July) and requested that, from 2007 on, Irish policy on wild salmon fishery full complies with the EU Habitats Directive.
The Stop Now campaign welcomed the development.
According to Stop Now Chairman, Niall Greene:
"Under the EU Habitats Directive, exploitation of wild salmon is
permissible if a scientific assessment confirms that the practice will not
produce negative effects on salmon stocks.
Earlier this year comprehensive scientific evidence presented to the
National Salmon Commission demonstrated beyond a shadow of doubt that drift net
fishing causes enormous damage to our salmon stocks.
The EU Commission’s statement further emphasises
the need to ensure that 2006 is the last year of drift netting for salmon in
Ireland.
On 24th March last the Government committed to adhering to the
scientific advice when deciding policy in 2007.
That commitment has been reinforced by yesterday’s final warning from
the EU Commission.
The Independent Salmon Group, established by the Government, is currently examining measures to address any financial loss suffered by the commercial drift net sector in bringing policy in line with scientific advice in 2007. The angling sector is willing to make a contribution to a fair compensation scheme devised by the Independent Salmon Group. For us, the key issue is that the long-term devastation of wild salmon caused by drift netting ends in 2006 and all stakeholders commit to a long-term strategy to restore salmon stocks in Irish rivers."
Niall Greene acknowledged the role that the Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust played in bringing this issue to the attention of the EU Commission. ‘Brian Marshall, Chairman of the Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust, together with his colleagues, deserve our thanks for their tenacity on this issue. In 2002 and 2004 the Trust lodged formal complaints with the EU Environment Commission against Ireland’s policy of licencing drift nets. Many groups subsequently lodged similar complaints and the action taken by the EU Commission yesterday is in no small way a result of the initiative demonstrated by the Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust and other angling organisations throughout Britain and Ireland.’