October 31st 2006

“Protest March planned to highlight unfair treatment of Commercial Salmon Fishermen ”

Hundreds of fishermen and their families from all around the coast of Ireland are expected to attend a Protest march to show their strong disappointment with the effort of the Independent Salmon Group in their recent Report. What has been recommended by the Independent Review Group spells devastation for the commercial fishing sector. High value processing of a unique product will also be savagely affected. The implications for rural coastal communities are very severe as this loss of income and tradition will have an enormous knock-on effect on other inshore fisheries.

The Report suggests a lifting of the ban on the sale of rod caught fish. This indicates a sinister reallocation of resources from the commercial sector who are dependent on it for their livelihood to the leisure sector. It is grossly unfair that no consideration was given to any alternative that allows fishermen to participate in the rebuilding of the stocks where it is necessary. The role of leisure sector has been emphasised disproportionately and concessions have been made consequently which make it impossible for the commercial fishermen to be treated fairly. There are alternatives, which have not been discussed in the Report and the lack of any foresight is seen as a great weakness.

The salmon fishing sector will show tomorrow that they will not and cannot take the recommendations of the Report lying down.