BY AILEEN MURPHY
Northern Ireland MEP Jim Allister has hit out at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Gregory Campbell for presiding over a change in DCAL policy which, according to the MEP, has 'accelerated the demise of eel fishing in Lough Erne'.
The MEP said: "I have obtained a minute of a meeting held in October last year, between AFBI, Marine Institute, NRFB and ESB at Ballyshannon to discuss the Erne Eel Management Plan.
"During that meeting, Northern Ireland representatives pointed out that, 'the stated policy in the Northern Ireland portion of the catchment is phased closure with natural wastage and ageing of fishermen, and non re-issue of lapsing permits and licences ... anything else could be asked for by the Republic of Ireland groups through cross-border consultation but would require a process of consultation and policy change in Northern Ireland, agreed at Ministerial level...this is unlikely to happen quickly."
"However," Mr Allister continued. "DCAL has since submitted an eel management plan to the European Commission which will result in the Erne being completely closed to eel fishing."
The MEP said he was seriously concerned that Northern Ireland eel fishermen were not consulted on the decision to shift from a policy of phased closure to one of total ban.
"Furthermore," he continued. "It would seem the Minister has had to approve this shift in policy.
"I have written to the Minister, asking him four questions which, I believe he is obliged to answer, in the interests of accountability:
"1. What processes were entered into to effect a clear reversal to that established policy?
2. What representations were made by the Republic of Ireland to press for a change in that policy of natural wastage and phased closured, and in what forums did this take place?
3. What consultation took place to discuss the potential impact of this change in policy towards total closure of the Northern Ireland portion of the catchment from eel fishing, after the 21st October meeting?
4. When was Ministerial assent given at Northern Ireland level to this change in policy?"
Mr Allister went on: "These minutes are the clearest revelation yet that Minister Campbell has presided over a reversal of established DCAL policy, as a result of pressure from the Republic of Ireland, sacrificing the interests of Northern Ireland eel fishermen to the commercial interests.
Responding to Mr Allister's comments, a DCAL spokesperson said: "The Department is currently dealing with correspondence from Mr Allister and the Minister will reply directly to Mr Allister.
"The European eel stock has been in rapid decline since around 1980.
"This long-term decline continues to show no sign of recovery and is a matter for considerable concern.
"A number of causes have been suggested, including changes in ocean climate, habitat loss, predation, hydroelectric turbine mortality, over-exploitation, pollution and parasites," she continued.
"The European Commission, following a number of years of consultation, adopted European Eel Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 on 18 September 2007 which aims to establish measures for the recovery of the European eel stock.
"The Regulation requires the establishment of Eel Management Plans (EMPs) for each eel river basin, of which there are three covering Northern Ireland, which will demonstrate that at least 40% of the biomass of adult eels from each river basin relative to the best estimate of the potential escapement in the absence of human activities affecting the fishing area or stock are escaping to spawn.
"EMPs for Northern Ireland's three river basin districts were submitted to the EU on 31 December 2008 as part of an overall UK submission.
"The EU intend to approve EMPs by 1 July 2009 and expect that Plans are implemented from that date."
She concluded: "Collaborative scientific work in both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland suggests that in order for the UK and Ireland to comply with the Regulation, a cessation of commercial fishing for eels in the Erne catchment is necessary."
