Donegal Deputy, Charles Ward, has called on new Minister of State for the Marine, Timmy Dooley, to ensure that there is fair treatment for Donegal fishermen that fish for wild Atlantic salmon in Loughros Mór estuary.
Those who participate in draft net fishing of wild Atlantic salmon in the Loughros Mór estuary, to the west of Ardara, are restricted to only three weeks of fishing in those waters a year – between the 1st and 21st of July.
The organisation representing the Ardara fishers – the Loughros Mór Draft Net Fishers’ Group – say all other draft net fisheries are allocated a period of eleven weeks of fishing between the 12th of May and the 31st of July.
Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party said: ‘I was shocked to hear that the season for the Loughros fishery has been restricted to three weeks and that just 6 licences remain on Loughros Mór estuary, despite the fact that draft net fishing for wild Atlantic salmon is one of the oldest traditional fishing methods amongst coastal communities in Donegal and Ireland.”
Deputy Ward welcomed the appointment of a Minister of State for the Marine, but has said the Minister now needs to work with fishing communities to ensure that these communities continue to grow and thrive.
A public meeting regarding this issue is due to take place today at 7.30pm in Crannógbuí National School, Loughros Point, Ardara.
Ahead of the meeting, a spokesperson representing the Loughros Mór Draft Net Fishers’ Group told Donegal Daily that:
“The shorter season has proved challenging and put huge pressure on the fishing community. All we seek is fair treatment like the other areas.
“Our fishery involves young and old and is a traditional practice that we wish to safeguard into the future.”
