A protest in support of the commercial salmon catching sector is due to take place in Dublin tomorrowwhen the matter will be discussed by the Cabinet. Meanwhile, two prominent Fianna Fáil politicians have given their views on the proposals to end driftnet fishing.
Minister of State for Transport Pat the Cope Gallagher has said that he favours a voluntary buy- out of salmon drift-net licences, rather than a compulsory option.The Donegal TD and former junior marine minister, said that he was confident that the Government would take a "pragmatic approach" to the recommendations made by the independent review group on salmon.
The group is recommending a compulsory buy-out with a €30 million compensation package, but Mr Gallagher said he believed this figure to be too low.
"The majority of those who will be affected by this are in areas of the coast where there is no alternative employment," he said. Commercial fishermen had already agreed to substantially reduced quotas over the past decade and were 95 per cent compliant, compared to 45 per cent of anglers.
Colleague John McGuinness called on the Government to implement the driftnetting ban.
"I do recognise that compliance with scientific advice could have very adverse effects for fishermen and coastal communities.
"However, non-compliance is no solution either. It merely postpones the action we need to take now. . . It is time to end driftnetting before there is nothing left to net."
The Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers, a group representing 30,000 anglers, has welcomed the recommended end to driftnetting, however it does have serious reservations about the proposed closure of rivers in the south and east.